Goan basketeers seek ouster of Vaz, Jain from GBA Published on: June 4, 2013 - 00:24
Nearly 100 agitating basketball players, Monday held protests demanding early ouster of Mr CF Vaz and Mr Shekhar Jain from the Goa Basketball Association (GBA), alleging that the duo were functioning illegally and unconstitutionally with no elections having been held in the GBA since last 15 years NT NETWORK PANAJI: Goa Basketball players, past and present, and supporters of the game staged a demonstration below the office of the Sports Authority of Goa, at Patto Plaza, here on Monday, protesting against the continuation of Mr CF Vaz and Mr Shekhar Jain as president and secretary of the Goa Basketball Association (GBA) respectively. Nearly 100 agitating basketball players demanded the immediate sacking of Mr Vaz and Mr Jain who they said were functioning illegally and unconstitutionally with no elections having been held in the GBA since last 15 years. The agitating members alleged that this was being done in connivance with certain officials of Basketball Federation of India who were showing a complete disrespect to the democratic process and the laws of the land. The agitators in particular came down heavily on the recent email sent by Ms Roopam Sharma, CEO of Basketball Federation of India (BFI), wherein she had asked Mr Sacheti, advisor of the Lusofonia Games, to involve Mr Vaz and Mr Jain in organising the basketball events. The members alleged that this appeared to be a clear-cut case of ‘match fixing’ and said they would not take this lying down. “Vaz and Jain have completely hijacked the game in Goa since last 15 years for their ulterior motives and the Government must under no circumstance include these two in the committee,” the protestors said. Later, a delegation met Mr Sandeep Jacques, Executive Director, Sports Authority of Goa, and sought to know from him whether the SAG would allow Mr Vaz and Mr Jain to be a part of the Lusofonia Organising committee. The delegation further enquired with Mr Jacques whether he would look into the report prepared by former SAG executive director, Mr Elvis Gomes, wherein he had cited several irregularities and illegalities committed by the duo and also made few recommendations. Mr Jacques said he would study the matter and take appropriate action which would be in the larger interest of the sport and the conduct of the games. The protesters then marched to the Office of the Commissionerate of Customs and Central Excise and shouted slogans against Mr Shekhar Jain, who has been employed there as Superintendent of Central Excise. Assistant Commissioner Ms Loretta Shreedharan informed the protesters that a show-cause notice has been issued to Mr Jain for continuing as the secretary of the Goa Basketball Association despite the expiry of his tenure and violating in the process the Sports Ministry Circular which debarred government employees from holding elective posts in a Sports Associations/ Federations for a term of more than 4 years. “Mr Shekhar Jain has not yet replied to the notice,” she informed. The protesters said they would seek the dismissal of Mr Jain from service in case he does not comply with the orders and will also file Vigilance cases and FIRs against him, for flouting government rules and norms and for misusing his position. Though Mr Jain was available in the office, he did not meet the agitating basketball players. Later in the afternoon some of the current and former Goan basketball players along with supporters of the game held a press conference at the Don Bosco Oratory Confernce Hall, here. The conference was attended by Aakash Madgaokar (current state basketball player), Fr Ralino De Souza (Director, Don Bosco Oratory), Adv Joseph Vaz (Director, YMCA), Mr Sandeep Heble (Sports promoter), Mr Atmaram Desai (former state basketball player), Mr Santosh Kenkre (Vice Chairman, EDC and former state basketball player) and Mr Rajesh Counto, former state basketball player. Aakash Madgaokar in his briefing made it clear that they are pro-government and want the government to help them in the betterment of the sport. And for that to happen he requested the government to remove Mr Vaz and Mr Jain from the GBA, which according to him has been defunct for over a decade. “In 2003, when basketball junior nationals were held in Goa, the government was asked for their support and we were assured that action will be taken after the games. “In 2012, the mini nationals were held and again we were assured that steps would be taken but nothing has been done till date and hence we urge the government to take immediate action,” Madgaokar said. Speaking further he informed that Porvorim MLA, Mr Rohan Khaunte has already brought up this issue in the assembly and urged the Chief Minister Mr Manohar Parrikar to take up the issue and help them sort it out at the earliest. He demanded that the government, in the interest of the sport, write to the BFI and ask them to de-recognise the GBA and recognise the present committee — not only for the Lusofonia Games but thereafter as well. He said they do not want a temporary measure but a long-term solution, which could come only in the form of elections, and he hoped for progress and welfare of the sport with the elected representatives. Atmaram Desai said that starting an alternate association was one possibility which they were considering and that appropriate decision on this would be taken after discussions and consultations with all the basketball players. He said this was the only option left as the GOA and the SAG had both de-recognised the GBA and the GBA was now a defunct body. Fr Ralino De Souza criticised the selection process of the GBA stating that players selected by the GBA to represent Goa in Nationals could not make it to even their respective school teams and wondered as to how this was so. Mr Sandeep Heble, meanwhile, informed that the basketball players had submitted a petition to the Chief Minister and others, which was signed by more than 100 players. “The Chief Minister has assured us that he will take appropriate action in the matter and that he will give us a hearing soon,” Mr Heble said. Adv Joseph Vaz and Mr Santosh Kenkre also spoke. Source: http://www.navhindtimes.in/sports/goan-basketeers-seek-ouster-vaz-jain-gba
