The Karnataka State Cricket Association has decided to boycott the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s annual awards on March 8 in protest against the Supreme Court-mandated Committee of Administrator’s decision to invite only eligible officials of state units, according to reports on Friday.
In a response to BCCI CEO Rahul Johri’s official invitation, the KSCA said, “It is unfortunate that we do not intend to even acknowledge, leave alone, thank you for the invite. It may seem very rude and un-diplomatic, however, looking at the last paragraph of your invitation, ‘kindly note that the Committee of Administrators is constrained to convey that only those office-bearers who are qualified as per the Supreme Court’s orders are expected to attend the function,’ constraining you from certain acts, we would like to also ascertain that we are also constrained not to acknowledge, thank or even remotely think of attending this function.”
The letter continued, “We are very clear in our minds that it would be a humiliation of the very cricketing fraternity if we accept this invitation with constraints and restrictions. We call upon yourselves to please inform the COA that the KSCA will not accept such a humiliation and as a mark of protest, will boycott the said function though cricket and cricketers are dear to our heart.”
This is the second note of defiance from a state association after the the Cricket Association of Bengal on Wednesday moved the Supreme Court alleging that it had gone beyond its scope and authority. The Committee of Administrators had previously barred top BCCI officials, who were ineligible according to the Justice Lodha reforms, from attending the Indian Premier League auctions on February 20.