Shillong: Retired bureaucrat Danny Marak was elected unopposed the president of the Meghalaya Cricket Association (MCA) while college lecturer Gideon Kharkongor was elected as secretary at state body’s Annual General Meeting in Shillong, on Thursday.
The newly-elected apex committee of the Meghalaya Cricket Association has been elected to serve a three-year term.
The new President of the MCA is Danny Ch Marak, who replaces Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, while the new Honorary Secretary is Gideon Kharkongor, takes over from Naba Bhattacharjee. Four other members were elected and two players will be appointed to the committee, with a further member appointed by the accountant general.
Meghalaya is one of the first six states to register its constitution and meet Lodha Committee requirements, Bhattacharjee said at a press conference here today.
“It is a proud privilege for me and my colleagues to have been here,” he added. “We have worked hard and last year was the defining period to get full member status for Meghalaya in the BCCI.
Danny Marak is a former cricketer and founding member of the Tura District Cricket Association and Meghalaya is lucky to have him as president. We also have representation on the apex committee from more or less all districts.”
Bhattacharjee also appealed to members of all districts to “join hands and put heads together” to work for the development of the sport in the state, especially among the indigenous community.
Marak said, “We all know that the MCA under outgoing President Conrad Sangma and Naba has reached a high level. We are now recognised by the BCCI as a full member due to their hard work. The new committee has to keep up the good work for the betterment of cricket in the state.”
Meanwhile, Kharkongor said that he has a huge responsibility in taking over from the “giant” Bhattacharjee.
“There are big expectations on us as the outgoing members have done marvellous work. Cricket in the state has reached where it is because of these members. We have lots of spadework to do in terms of getting grounds in all districts, grassroots development and improvements at existing grounds in Shillong and Tura. I hope cricket will grow in leaps and bounds and with the support of friends and wellwishers I’m sure it will,” Kharkongor added.
