Hyderabad Cricket Association hit by fresh financial setback

Ethics Officer directs the governing body to pay Rs 3 lakh annually to clubs, adding to financial strain

Hyderabad: Hyderabad Cricket Association is in the news but for all wrong reasons again!

In yet another significant development which might have a serious impact on the finances of Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA), former Acting Chief Justice and now Ethics Officer and Ombudsman, Additional Charge of HCA, directed the HCA on May 7, 2025, to implement the General Body resolution (dated 13-9-2015) and pay the development fee of Rs 3 lakhs per year to each of the private clubs from 2017-18.

Importantly, the Ombudsman directed that the payment may be made as expeditiously as possible within a period of eight weeks.

This was in response to the petitioner Imran Mahmood, secretary of the HCA affiliated club Mahmood Cricket Club, pointed out that in the AGM on 13-9-2015, it was resolved to pay Rs 4 lakhs for the year 2014-15 to all the affiliated clubs as cricket development funds.

It was also resolved that the general body may ratify this payment and approve payment of Rs 4 lakhs to affiliated clubs.

Imran Mahmood pointed out that HCA did not dispute the resolutions and hence there is no reason forthcoming for non-payment of Rs 3 lakhs per year from 2017-18 onwards.

The Ombudsman said in the Order that having regards to facts and circumstances the HCA is directed to implement the AGM resolution of September 13, 2015.

This Ombudsman comes in the wake of the recent order of the Telangana High Court which has set aside the crucial appointments including that of former India star BK Venkatesh Prasad as Consultant for Cricket Operations and Game Development (HCA).

And, the High Court also directed that since the HCA is discharging public functions and public funds are used and involved in day to day administration, amounts paid towards honorarium of Venkatesh Prasad, Hyderabad Ranji coach Vineet Saxena and others shall be recovered from the HCA President, Secretary, Treasurer and the CEO and from their personal accounts and not from the account of the HCA.