Punjab Cricket Association secretary quits, cites personal reasons

Ahead of the annual general body meeting of the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) scheduled in August, as claimed by highly placed sources, the secretary of the association Dilsher Khanna has reportedly resigned from his post.

The PCA secretary has submitted his resignation to the president. It was in May 2022 that the PCA House elected the new president, who was later stripped off the charge, and in February 2023, the office-bearer was replaced. Amarjit Singh Mehta was appointed to the top post, while Khanna continued to be the secretary of the association since 2022, reportedly for a period of three years.

In his resignation letter, Khanna has listed a series of developments that took place in Punjab cricket under his regime. He also listed Punjab cricket teams’ achievements, starting of the league tournament and mentioned his nomination as the manager of the Indian team, which won the 2024 T20 World Cup. “The support and encouragement from all life members helped me to work to the best of my abilities. However, currently, due to my personal reasons, I hereby resign as hononary secretary of the PCA with immediate effect,” read the letter.

As per the constitution of the PCA, the annual meeting of the general body is to be held every year, not later than September 30. And, elections and nominations to the apex council shall take place every three years at the annual general meeting.

At the annual general meeting/special general meeting, each category-A member shall have one vote. The council shall consist of 19 members, including five elected office-bearers. Two (one male and one female) to be nominated by the cricket players association from among those of its members who hail from Punjab, one to be nominated by Accountant General of Punjab from among the serving senior functionaries of the office, co-terminus with the nominee’s tenure, and 11 to be elected from category-A members of the association (seven representatives of the affiliated district cricket associations). Three members to be elected from among the life members and one representative of a club/college/institution.

Also, at least four weeks prior to the annual general meeting during which election will be held, the council shall appoint an electoral officer, a former central or state election commissioner. The electoral officer will oversee and supervise the entire election process, including the scrutiny of the electoral rolls for councillors.

Sources claimed that the development came after the recent Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) 28th apex council meeting held on Saturday.