RIYADH: For the first time, the office-bearers of the Riyadh Cricket Association (RCA) were elected from nominations received from its affiliated clubs.
“We have fulfilled the longstanding demand of the cricket lovers in the Kingdom by giving an opportunity for those interested to serve the association to hold office through ballot, “ Abdul Qadeer Mirza president of RCA told Arab News.
The association functions under the patronage of Prince Gen. Dr. Abdul Aziz Bin Nasser Bin Abdul-Aziz Al-Saud, who dissolved the previous committee and asked for nomination from the teams. “Teams nominated the deserving, active and potential candidates from cricketing world of Riyadh through secret balloting,” Mirza said.
The Annual General Meeting was held at at local restaurant. Presiding at the meeting Mirza conveyed the message from the Patron in Chief Prince Nasser and highlighted the aims of the association in developing cricket and promoting friendship among the communities.
Jawaid Munawar (ACC certified coach) and Naeem Akbar were nominated as contestants for Vice President. Out of the 25 registered clubs, Jawaid secured 15 votes and won for Vice President whereas Naeem Akbar got 9 votes. One club did not take part in the election. Asif Sheikh and Dr. Ahmar were the candidates for General Secretary. The former won by a margin of 15 to 9 votes. Ahsan Raza Rizvi ACC certified umpire comfortably won by a similar margin of 15 to 9 votes against Umar Zafar for the post of Finance secretary. The contest for post of P.R.O. was between Farhan Siddiq and Khawar Abbas.
Chewer won the contest by 15 to 9 votes. Zahid Mir was elected as Media secretary by securing 15 votes against Iqbal Shahid who got 9 votes.
There were two candidates for Grounds In charge Mohammad Akbar and Hanif Babar. Hani was elected by the similar margin of 15 to 9 votes. A newly created post on the demands of clubs of Teams Coordinator was won by Tariq Butt securing 15 votes against 9 votes by Gulshad Khan. Daniyal Alam was elected unopposed by securing 15 votes as the Chairman of the Discipline Committee. Khursheed Malik won by 15 votes to 9 votes for Zakariya Hassan but he withdrew his candidature in favor of Zakariya for the position of Umpires Secretary.
A three-member panel headed by Mirza, comprising Abdul Kareem Khan, Khalid Rana conducted the polls at the meeting. spot. Abdul Qadeer Mirza took the oaths from the newly elected committee for the sincerity, devotion and working within the boundaries of country laws. He also thanked the sponsors Arab News, BSF, FUCHS, Castrol, SAMBA, SABB and Saudi Lucy for their continued support and hoped their support be available in future. He also thanked Abdul Kareem Khan for his valuable timely advises and continued channel of communication with the teams.
