Srikantadatta's team confident of victory in KSCA elections

Bangalore, Aug 25 (UNI) The last scion of the erstwhile Mysore Royal family, Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar today formally plunged into the electoral battle for the post of Presidentship of Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) filing his nominations for the September nine elections.

His running mate would be curator Kasturirangan, for the post of Secretary. Kasturirangan, was formerly chairman of the pitches committee of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Twice Member of Lok Sabha from Mysore, Wadiyar said he would strive for the betterment of the game, which had fallen from grace due to 'inept administration' of the group led by former test cricketer Brijesh Patel.

Patel who had been at the helm for nearly a decade, would be seeking reelection as Secretary. He is supporting former teamate and national selector G R Vishwanath for the post of President.

Wadiyar said ''Karnataka used to produce top criketers and had big representation in the national team in the past. But during the last decade it has suffered due to bad administration and unfriendly attitude of administrators towards players and the cricketing fraternity. If elected we will correct the faults and bring back the glory of Karnataka cricket,'' he claimed.

He also claimed that his +team+ had the support of about 1400 life members and 236 cricket clubs and would come out victorious in the elections.

Wadiyar said his team would ensure transparency in administration, selection of teams at all levels, develop cricket infrastructure in mofussial areas and bring in novel and innovative methods to augment finances without totally depending on BCCI grants.

Wadiyar has also received a boost with liquor baron Vijay Mallya, who is known for supporting motorsports and horse racing, backing the scion in the elections and declaring his intention to enter cricket administration.

UNI