Shirke promises to strive for development of NCA

Pune, Aug 21 (UNI) An elated Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) president Ajay Shirke today said he will strive for the all-round development and promotion of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) after being appointed as its Interim Chairman.

In a special Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at Mumbai today on constitutional amendments, it was unanimously decided to sack Kapil Dev as the chairman of the NCA and appoint Mr Shirke as the interim chairman.

Along with the former India captain, who now heads the Executive Board of Essel Group-promoted rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL), The BCCI also debarred his fellow directors (former players) and all the 51 Indian first class cricketers, unveiled by the organisers of the rebel league yesterday.

''Though it is an interim appointment, I would not fall short of the expectations of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the all-round development and promotion of the NCA,'' Mr Shirke said.

'I am indebted to the BCCI for reposing faith in he,'' he added.

The next Annual General Meeting (AGM) of BCCI is scheduled for September 28, during which the decision is likely to be ratified.

There was a good reaction to the news of Mr Shirke's appointment as interim chairman of NCA from the cricketing fraternity of the city.

The livewire MCA president Shirke is certainly a man with a vision and will prove his worth, said former Maharashtra Ranji skipper Milind Gunjal.

''I have no doubt in my mind that his energy and foresight will benefit players from Maharashtra,'' he added.

MCA Treasurer Madhav Ranade, a former Ranji left arm spinner, observed that Mr Shirke is a very committed person as far as the game is concerned.

''He is a man with ideas and full of energy and will not hesitate to implement the ideas into action,'' Mr Ranade said, adding, his appointment will certainly benefit players from the state.

After the news broke out there was a wave of jubilation in the registered office of the MCA.

UNI