In the wake of a change of government in the state, the Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) also prepared for a change of its leadership. For the last five years it was practically controlled by YCP MP Vijayasai Reddy with his son-in-law’s brother Sarath Reddy as Chairman.
However, in the changed political environment the Apex Council resigned in a special general body meeting held at a hotel in Vijayawada and Vijayawada MP Kesineni Shivanath, @ Chinni is said to become its president in the election scheduled to be held next month.
Present President P. Saratchandra Reddy, Vice President P. Rohit Reddy and Secretary S.R. Gopinath Reddy have resigned. Vijayasai Reddy’s son-in-law Rohit Reddy is acting as the Vice President.
The present Apex Council was formed in the elections held in November 2022. The ACA, which was functioning making Vijayawada as its headquarter, was shifted to Visakhapatnam to please the former chief minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy, who made futile attempts to shift the capital to the port city.
At a time when ACA has become an obstacle to irregularities, the sports associations hope that the new government will soon come up with the new Apex Council to put a stop to the disputes and irregularities in the Andhra Cricket Association.
It is estimated that it will take 35 to 40 days for the formation of the new Apex Council. Senior retired IAS officer Nimmagadda Ramesh Kumar will be elected as an observer to conduct elections. A three-member committee has been appointed so that the ACA services are not interrupted till then. The committee includes former minister K. Ranga Rao and Murali Mohan.
Elections for the new executive committee will be held in Guntur on the 8th of next month. Vijayawada MP Chinni will contest as president in this election. It seems that district cricket associations and various clubs are leaning towards his candidature. MLA Vishnukumar Raju presided over this meeting which was attended by 33 members.