More steps down as BCA selection committee chairman

Vadodara, Sep 23 (UNI) Amidst speculation over Baroda Cricket Association's (BCA) move to bar those inparting coaching in clubs or running cricket academies from becoming a BCA selector, Kiran More has resigned as chairman of the BCA senior selection committee.

BCA sources today said More's resignation letter which he submitted a fortnight ago, had been accepted by the BCA managing committee that met here on Wednesday under the chairmanship of BCA president Chirayu Amin.

Though BCA joint secretary Rakesh Parikh is expected to replace More, the formal process for appointment to the chief selector's post will start only after the BCCI's annual meeting next week as Mr Parikh is likely to contest for junior selection committee of BCCI.

Confirming his resignation from the BCA selection committee where he served for eight long years as its chairman, More, who is also BCA secretary, said his resignation had nothing to do with the running of his ''Kiran More Cricket Academy'' or ''baseless'' reports on BCA's proposed ban.

Asked about the reason behind his sudden resignation, More, who is also going to relinguish his chief national selector's post in the BCCI meeting to be held in Mumbai on Sep 27, said, ''I don't want to continue as chief selector any longer. Other people should get a chance.'' Recently, More had come under criticism from different quarters for allegedly favouring the boys of his own cricket academy in the selection of BCA teams for different age groups.

Stating that BCA was considering a proposal to bar only those who were giving coaching to boys in different clubs from becoming a BCA selector, association sources denied that there was any move to keep More and others out of the selection committee for running cricket academies. ''The contract in this regard is being prepared and to be signed by all selectors and coaches of BCA, the sources added.

More was re-elected chairman of the senior selection committee of BCA in September, last year, for another two years term. Being the secretary of the BCA, More was to be the convenor of the selection committee and was supposed to remain present at the selection committee meeting, sources said. Describing as ''baseless'' the argument that those running cricket academy should not be selectors, More said the cricket improvement committee set up by the BCA had never opposed or recommended against those running academies like him.

Without giving any particular reason for his resignation, the BCA secretary said he was always there for the development of cricket in Baroda.

Sources said the managing committee while accepting the resignation of More, had appreciated the latter's contribution to the game, particularly as chairman of the 5-member selection panel.

UNI