PANAJI
The upcoming elections of Goa Cricket Association (GCA) on 16 September to elect its new managing committee for the term 2025-2028 will be a closely fought and interesting contest.
A total of 46 candidates have filled their nomination for six posts – President, Vice-President, Secretary, Joint Secretary, Treasurer and Member.
On 10 September, the scrutinizing process of candidates will begin and 11 September will be the last date to withdraw one’s nomination.
107 clubs affiliated to GCA will elect the new managing committee.
A tough and close contest is expected between the two panels of Chetan Desai–Vinod Phadke and Rohan Gauns Dessai.
Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant had recently informed in the Goa Legislative Assembly that the Goa Cricket Association (GCA) has two years to begin work on the proposed cricket stadium at Dhargal in Pernem taluka or risk losing the 1.89 lakh square metres of government land leased to it.
Pernem MLA Pravin Arlekar also had informed the assembly that GCA had shown no progress on the project despite signing an agreement nearly seven years ago.
In that context, the upcoming GCA elections hold a lot of importance and the various clubs will primarily focus on electing a new managing committee which will priotize on building an international cricket stadium in Goa within the next two years.
After all, Goa has been deprived of international cricket since last 15 years. The last ODI match held at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda was on 24 October 2010 between India and Australia.
Among top contenders who are in fray for GCA President post are former Speaker, Goa Legislative Assembly, Rajesh Patnekar, former Ranji player Mahesh Desai and Mahesh Candolkar, President, Goa Chess Association.
A total of eight candidates have filled their nomination for President post. Others being Anant Naik, Paresh Phadte, Sayed Abdul Majid and Sudesh Raut.
In fact, Patnekar and Candolkar have also filled their nominations for Vice-President and Secretary post as well.
Six candidates are in fray for Vice-President post – Aditya Angle, Amresh Naik, Paresh Phadte, Rajesh Patnekar, Sayed Abdul Majid and Tulsidas Shetye.
A total of eight candidates have filled their nomination for Secretary post. These include Aditya Chodankar, Amresh Naik, Daya Pagi, Hemant Pai Angle, Mahesh Candolkar, Sayed Abdul Majid and Tulsidas Shetye.
The Joint Secretary post has received the highest number of nominations with nine candidates in fray. These include Aditya Chodankar, Anant Naik, Jamir Carol, Meghanath Shirodkar, Paresh Phadte, Rupesh Naik, Saibar Mulla and Sushant Naik.
A total of eight candidates have filled their nominations for Treasurer post. These include Daya Pagi, Jamir Carol, Meghanath Shirodkar, Paresh Phadte, Rupesh Naik, Saibar Mulla, Sayed Abdul Majid and Umesh Gawas.
For member’s post, seven candidates are in fray. These include Aditya Chodankar, Aditya Angle, Mahesh Behki, Meghanath Shirodkar, Rupesh Naik, Umesh Gawas and Vikas Parsekar.
