Amarjit elected PCA president for second straight term

In a one-sided show of political might, the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) officially elected its new office bearers during the 77th annual general body meeting at the Maharaja Yadavindra PCA International Cricket Stadium.

Advertisement

The house today elected Amarjit Singh Mehta, as the new PCA president for the second consecutive term. His team will include Deepak Bali as vice-president, Kulwant Singh as honorary secretary, Siddhant Sharma as honorary joint secretary and Sunil Gupta as honorary treasurer.

While Amarjit, Bali and Kulwant have their direct political association with the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Sharma is an advocate on record and standing counsel for Punjab in the Supreme Court of India. Gupta, who will be serving his second consecutive term, is deputy chairperson of the State Planning Board Punjab.

Meanwhile, the list of apex council members now includes, Arminder Singh, Rajat Bhardwaj, Chanchal Kumar Singla, Amit Bajaj, Birdevinder Singh Natt, Prabhir Singh Brar, Gauravdeep Singh Dhaliwal, Kamal Kumar Arora, Amrinder Vir Singh Barsat, Sahebjit Singh Sehmby and Vikram Kumar, all of whom were elected unanimously.

Meet CM after election

Soon after getting elected, the members met Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

The general body unanimously approved all agenda items, including organising the Sher-e-Punjab Tournament for the 2025–2026 season. The PCA also felicitated the achievers of the 2024–2025 cricket season including, Uday Pratap Saharan–Skipper of the Men’s U23 team for winning the Col CK. Nayudu Trophy, U-23 State A Trophy, and the winners of Col CK Nayudu Trophy against e Rest of India.

Former Indian pacer, VRV Singh who is now head coach of the Men’s U-23 team was also felicitated for guiding the team to the aforementioned victories.

Umesh Gill, skipper of the Men’s U-16 team which claimed second position in the Vijay Merchant Trophy, was awarded along with RP Singh, head coach of the Men’s U-16 team.

Jyoti, captain of the U-15 Women’s One-Day team, runners-up in the Women’s U-15 One-Day Trophy, was also felicitated along with Yograj, head coach of the U-15 Women’s One-Day team.

Meet the new team

Amarjit Singh Mehta, President: He has been re-elected unopposed as president for the second consecutive term. A Bathinda-based businessman with interests in automobile dealerships, hotels and food courts, his son Padamjeet Singh Mehta recently became a first-time councillor and Mayor of Bathinda. “We will be reaching out in every district in Punjab to gather feedback and resolve issues to enhance cricket development. And we are also committed to develop cricket talent from grassroots across Punjab,” said Mehta.

Deepak Bali, Vice-President: The adviser to Punjab Heritage and Tourism Board, he will

be a new entrant in the PCA body. He is well-known figure in Punjab’s cultural, literary and music scene.

Kulwant Singh, Honorary Secretary: The richest of Punjab’s legislators with assets worth Rs 251 crore, according to his 2022 election affidavit, he had a stint with the SAD-BJP combine before winning the 2022 assembly elections on an AAP ticket. Kulwant will be also holding the post for the first time. The Mohali MLA is the managing director of M/s Janta Land Promoters Pvt. Ltd. and has over 35 years of experience in the real estate sector.

Siddhant Sharma, Honorary Joint Secretary: He is a lawyer and a lifelong cricketer and passionate advocate of the game, as per the PCA records. He played BCCI tournaments and also led the Bar Cricket Association and India’s Cricket Lawyers Team in two World Cups.

Sunil Gupta, Honorary Treasurer: Gupta, a chartered accountant from Chandigarh and Vice-Chairperson of the State Economic Policy and Planning Board, he has been re-elected unopposed as Honorary Treasurer.