SRAM face players’ revolt

The showcause states: “As you are no doubt aware, there have been problems relating to seedings at events (we believe he is very involved here), there have been deserving Mumbai players who have not been called and his attitude towards the players leaves a lot to be desired.

“We understand that Rehmat Khan’s camp, which started at the CCI on 19th April, had the blessings of the SRAM and the SRFI. The CCI gave the courts free of charge and the players who enrolled paid some money to the SRAM.

Bearing this in mind and that Mashruwalla is joint-secretary of the SRFI, why were some of the players being pressurised into attending the SRFI camp held at Chennai ? Have the SRAM made any compromises with the SRFI on this ?

The letter to the players invited for the Chennai camp did not mention anything as regards payment for their travel to and from Mumbai. What, if anything, did the SRAM do in this regard ?

“The letter also stated that the camp was for probables for “The Commonwealth and Asian Games” which are in 1998. It is silent as regards other events, specifically the Malaysian and Hong Kong Junior Opens which are in August 1997. How is it that the SRFI has only nominated two players for these two events ? What about the top Mumbai juniors ? What, if anything, is the SRAM doing in this matter ?”

The players have also slammed the SRAM for its lack of influence on the SRFI which has resulted in “the Mumbai players being given a shoddy deal.”

Another interesting point raised is the absence of a selection trial for the last year’s Nationals. “There were no selections for the 1996 Inter-State.

At the eleventh hour, a make-shift team represented Maharashtra. Some of them travelled by the 2 a.m. Air-India flight to Delhi and had a match to play a few hours after their arrival. This appears to be a cost-cutting effort.

How come the SRAM paid some money to a few juniors who went to Scotland and England but could not afford a full-fare Mumbai-Delhi return ticket for their own senior team which had won the Inter-State for the last two years?

Please inform us what, if anything, the SRAM have planned by way of training, tournament participation (local, national and international) and sponsored/financial assistance for the Mumbai juniors and seniors in 1997.

“We have reason to believe that the SRAM have made major financial commitments. Apparently, Rehmat Khan has been signed up on a two year contract worth Rs 12 lakhs (twelve lakhs). Apparently, the Junior Nationals are to be held in Mumbai and this could cost two to three lakhs.

Where is the money ? Does the SRAM have the funds to meet Rehmat Khan’s contract which started in April ?

“The SRAM made it clear to certain players that if they did not attend Rehmat Khan’s camp, they would not be considered for selection or “promotion”. Please explain why a top junior, who should be in Rehmat’s camp, has apparently been training with Robert Edwards in England. What action, if any, is the SRAM going to take on this? Please also advise if the SRAM or any of its committee members have a special deal with Edwards.”

The SRAM chief Apte, when contacted stated that he is tied down with business commitments and he would be reply to the show cause notice on Monday.