PCA to appoint professional selectors, introduce retainership

Chandigarh, Aug 25 (UNI) The Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) will have professional selectors in its Senior Selection Committee from this season, its chief Inderjit singh Bindra said today.

The decision was taken in the executive committee meeting which was chaired Bindra here.

The PCA will also select 20 players in all age groups who will get retainership.

With a view to emulating the Australian cricket system, the executive committee also decided to appoint a full time media manager to maintain proper liasion with the print and electronic media.

Addressing a press conference after the executive committee meeting, Bindra announced formation of various committees, including selection committees for Under 22, Under-19, Under-17 and Under-15.

Bindra and PCA joint secretary MP Pandove have been authorised to appoint the best professionals as selectors for senior team.

Bindra claimed the PCA will become the first state unit of the BCCI to avail the services of the senior professional selectors.

He said Pandove would be visit Australia to study their system.

''We (PCA) would follow the best system in the world,'' said Bindra.

The PCA president said besides doubling the prize money for the Punjab cricketers, the executive committee also decided to introduce retainership system in all age groups from this year.

''Twenty players in all age groups would be recruited and paid for playing cricket. It will be full time job for them.

''After Pandove's return from Australian trip, the PCA will finalise and adopt the best contract system for selecting players on retainership basis,'' Bindra said.

''The PCA will also appoint a full time media manager to coordinate with the print and electronic media,'' he added.

R P Pandove has been appointed chairman of the selection committee for Under-19 and 22. Balbir Singh has been appointed chairman of selection committee for Under-15 and Under-17.

UNI