Two men who ruled for long now face contrasting fortunes.
Sports are full of ironies. Yet, nothing that has been witnessed in recent times comes close to the tale of two Amins in Gujarat cricket administration.
For, one Amin who, with all his clout and political connections, was expected to rule the Gujarat Cricket Association (BCA) has now been sidelined, a victim of political intrigue, while the one everybody expected to fall a victim to the murky politics in Baroda Cricket Association (BCA), has emerged the winner.
One who also served the state in the capacity of deputy chief minister, Narhari Amin ruled GCA for 16 long years. When the Congress leader took over GCA in 1993, the association was in debt. But Narhari used all his connections, political as well as professional, to bail GCA out of the debt trap. Today he is credited for the new-look Sardar Patel Gujarat Stadium Motera and changing the fortunes of GCA which has now Rs20 crore in its coffers. In addition, he has been termed as Parthiv Patel’s mentor.
On the other hand, industrialist Chirayu Amin has been in BCA’s hot seat for more than two decades. After taking over in the late 1980s, the Alembic surpemo ensured Baroda stayed in limelight. Using his influence and resources, Chirayu has not only ensured that BCA got international matches at regular intervals but also that talented cricketers, such as Nayan Mongia, Pathan brothers and Jacob Martin, played at the highest level.
Narhari had inducted 50 donor members, who had helped GCA during the crisis couple of decades ago but failed to bail the president out of the recent crisis. One mistake, promoting only his close ones and ignoring rest of the GCA colleagues, resulted in rebellion. This provided an opportunity to the Congress leader’s formidable rival Amit Shah, minister of state for home. Today after conquering Central Board of Cricket Ahmedabad (CBCA), Shah has garnered support of Surat, Valsad and Gandhinagar cricket bodies, making him realise his dream, that of GCA presidency.
In BCA, however, the incumbent president Chirayu showed his businessman quality - ability to plan things for long terms. He has accommodated more than a thousand of Alembic employees as BCA members in a strong 1,800-member team.
Many allegations have been levelled against Chirayu Amin - that he is a dictator or has not done much for developing stadium or infrastructure, but he has escaped unhurt. Last year, former BCCI secretary JY Lele attempted a coup, but was undone as he failed to secure support of the present BCCI vice-president. This year it is Satyajit Gaekwad who has been trying to influence the ‘Marathi’ voters. Only the time will tell the tale.
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