CRICKET POLL

The Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) has been ordered to remove the name of Mohammed Azharuddin from the North Pavilion Stand of the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Uppal, Hyderabad. The HCA has also been told to ensure that no tickets are printed with the name of Azharuddin hereafter. The order was passed by Justice V Eswaraiah, Ethics Officer and Ombudsman of the HCA on Saturday.

The Ombudsman was acting on the petition filed by Lords Cricket Club. He ordered that it is a case of conflict of interest as Azharuddin, a former India captain and former HCA president, has taken a personal decision in his own favour.

"The fact that there has been no ratification/modification of the decision by the General Body further strengthens the case against the Respondent No. 1 (Azharuddin), as the Respondent No. 1 has exceeded his authority to benefit himself. In consequence of my findings, a clear case of conflict of interest is made out," Justice V Eswaraiah declared in his 25-page verdict.

Petitioner Lords Cricket Club pleaded with the Ombudsman to set aside the 'high handed' action of Azharuddin in naming the North Stand as Mohammed Azharuddin Stand and it be continued as the VVS Laxman Stand "for all practical purposes including but not limited to signages, printing of tickets etc. and pass any such order or orders as are deemed fit and proper in the circumstances of the case and in the interest of justice."

It was contended that the action of Azharuddin is illegal, arbitrary and there is no decision of the General Body or Apex Council for incorporating the "Mohammed Azharuddin Stand" above the name of the "VVS Laxman Pavilion".