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Dhiraj takes Cricketer of the Year Award
11 Apr 2010
Orisports Team
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Young Orissa left-arm spinner Dhiraj Singh was presented with the Maruti Estate Saheed Sporting Cricketer of the Year Award (2009-10) in Bhubaneswar today. Orissa Cricket Association secretary Asirbad Behera handed over the award, which carried a special trophy and a cash prize of Rs 11,000.
The OCA secretary was all praise for Maruti Estate India Limited and Saheed Sporting Club for encouraging cricketers of the state. He announced to provide an assistance of Rs 25,000 to help continue the annual award. Maruti Estate Managing Director Jitendra Prasad Singh, Saheed Sporting Club secretary Pankaj Patnaik and a large number of past and present first class cricketers of the state were present on the occasion.
However, it is unfortunate that despite producing a number of Test and first class cricketer, Saheed Sporting Club has not been given affiliation yet by OCA. When the OCA secretary was asked about the reason, he said the constitution of the apex state body of the game allowed affiliation to clubs existing within Cuttack municipality only. If that is the case, should not the constitution be amended to give justice to clubs operating in other parts of the state?
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To this question, Behera`s reply was surprising. ``If we do so then 5,000 clubs would apply for the same and we can not satisfy them all,`` he argued. But the OCA secretary should realise that if there are 5,000 applicants, criterias such as activities and achievements can be set to select the deserving ones. If there is a will, there would be ways. But it is unfortunate that the OCA secretary has no intention to grant affiliation of clubs existing beyond Cuttack Municipality. The reason is not far to seek. If affiliation is accorded on the basis of performance and achievement, the office-bearers in power would lose their vote bank and the absolute power they have been enjoying by giving grants and other benefits to the Cuttack-based clubs!
Many former cricketers are of the opinion that the lust for power would continue to hinder the growth of the game in Orissa as long as the constitution gives unfair advantage to a few affiliated units. Peeved with the prevailing practice, many clubs and former cricketers are preparing to take the issue to the court.
Speaking on the State Government`s plan to remove the artificial athletic track from Kalinga Stadium and make the Bhubaneswar-based stadium capable to stage cricket Test match, the OCA secretary opposed the idea, saying the main ground does not have necessary 75 yard space from centre to boundary line for the purpose.
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Instituted in the year 1992-93, the Cricketer of the Year Award has so far been received by 12 players. They include Ranjib Biswal (1992-93), P Jayachandra (1993-94), Rashmi Ranjan Parida (1994-95), Prasant Mohapatra (1995-96), Debasis Mohanty (1996-97, 2000-01, 2004-05, 2006-07, 2007-08), Pravanjan Mullick (1997-98, 2001-02, 2005-06),
Shiv Sundar Das (1998-99), Sanjay Satpathy (1999-2000), BBCC Mohapatra (2002-03), Deepak Mangaraj (2003-04), Basant Mohanty (2008-09) and Dhiraj Singh (2009-10).
Born in 1987, Dhiraj has so far bagged 38 wickets in 11 first class matches. His achievement in the 2009-10 season read 25 wickets in 11 innings, including seven against Himachal Pradesh as his best.
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TOP: Dhiraj Singh poses with the Maruti Estate Saheed Sporting Cricketer of the Year Award in Bhubaneswar on April 11, 2010.
BOTTOM: OCA secretary Asirbad Behera presents the Cricketer of the Year Award to Dhiraj Singh in Bhubaneswar on April 11, 2010.
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