Venkatesh Prasad confirms candidature for KSCA president's post

Bengaluru: Former India cricketer Venkatesh Prasad on Tuesday confirmed his candidature for the president’s post of the upcoming Karnataka State Cricket Association elections and also unveiled his crew that’s called Team Game Changers.

Prasad’s former colleague Sujith Somasundar will contest for vice-president post, ex-KSCA treasurer Vinay Mruthyunjaya will stand for the all-important secretary’s seat, AV Shashidhar for joint-secretary’s role and BN Madhukar throwing his hat for the treasurer’s post.

The KSCA election is scheduled for November 30, and the candidates can file their respective nominations from Wednesday until November 16.

Prasad, who had the legendary duo of Anil Kumble and Javagal Srinath for support at a press conference on Tuesday, said the main agenda of his team is to resurrect the sport that has taken a hit, especially after the tragic June 4 stampede during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s victory celebrations.

“We want to bring back glory to Karnataka. We would like to put Chinnaswamy Stadium back where it belongs. Our top priority is to bring back international cricket back to the iconic venue. Next year the T20 World Cup is happening in India but not a single game is scheduled in Bengaluru which pains my heart.

“I’ve also heard from many members that when it rains, water starts leaking in many parts of the stadium. We want to restore the glory at Chinnaswamy. We would also liaise with the state government and the BCCI and see if we can get the World Cup games. We also want to get international cricket back to Bengaluru. That’s a real priority for us.”

Prasad, who will be locked in a fight against former Deccan Herald and Prajavani Editor KN Shanth Kumar, said his team also wants to address the sad state of affairs at various grounds and academies across the state.

“Like Sujith pointed out in the slides, facilities in Hubballi, Shivamogga, Mysuru and Belagavi are in a dilapidated state. KSCA academies are not functioning properly. They are important for the growth of the sport.

“It’s our onus to rebuild all of them. Every aspiring cricketer should get a fair chance to realise his/ her dream. We will also build an academy for women’s cricket.”

Kumble, who served as the KSCA president between 2010 and 2013, said he volunteered to campaign for Prasad and Co because he felt he wanted to make a change.

“After we quit administration, the constant question was ‘When are you getting back?’ While I’m not back, I’m here to support Team Game Changers because, like in 2010, I felt I needed to make a difference.

“Cricket is suffering in the state. Whatever Srinath, Prasad and I did during 2010 and 2013 has been undone over the last decade. Apart from player, a key stakeholder of the sport are fans and I feel they’ve been neglected.

“We are only next to Mumbai in the number of Ranji trophies won. All that glory has been lost over the years and we want to restore it.”

Cut-off box - Shanth Kumar unveils his team Former Deccan Herald and Prajavani Editor KN Shanth Kumar who will be contesting for the KSCA presidential post on Tuesday unveiled his team reports DHNS from Bengaluru. D Vinod Sivappa will contest for vice-president's post ES Jairam for secretary MS Vinay for treasurer and BK Ravi for joint-secretary.

Other candidates: Life member: Sanjai Ashok Anand Poll KS Kedarnath. Founder institutional members: Rahul P Bafna Y Jagannath (Garuda) VS Thilak Naidu (Bangalore Zone). Other zones: Harikrishna Kumar RK (Mysore Zone) Veeranna S Savadi (Dharwad Zone) N Ashoka (Tumkur Zone) DS Arun (Shimoga Zone); Kushal Patil Gadgi (Raichur Zone); Shekar I Shetty (Mangalore Zone).