We were in debt when I took charge, today we have Rs 100 cr in surplus: Rohan Jaitley

The Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) President Rohan Jaitley has taken exception to the allegations of mismanagement under his regime made by Kirti Azad, the former India cricketer and politician who is fighting against him for the President’s post in December elections, and pointed out that the association has gained significantly in every aspect under his tenure.  

Jaitley took over charge at the DDCA in October, 2020, after mediaman Rajat Sharma had resigned. He was then re-elected to the post in 2021.

This time he faces a tough task in his bid to retain his post against Azad, who has gone all out in campaigning against the current administration and levelled charges of nepotism and corruption under Jaitley’s watch.

The 35-year-old, who is the son of former Union minister and DDCA President Arun Jaitley, spoke to www.thedelhijunction.com at length about the upcoming elections, and achievements in DDCA under his four-year tenure that includes building DDCA cash reserves to the tune of Rs 100 crore.

Excerpts from the interview:

Q. How would you sum up your tenure over the last four years?

A. We have been trying to do some good work, we have been trying to change the eco system. We have been trying to improve on things within the Delhi cricketing fraternity, the effects of which are being seen like the overall player welfare. We have firmed up player welfare in terms of pension, insurance, infrastructure upgrades, improved players’ performances across board. The results are there when you see players from different age groups being called upon for national duty. The right that should have been happening for the last few years, they are being called upon. We will see better results sooner than later.

Q.  What inspired you to get into cricket administration? Was it your father’s influence?

A. In India, cricket is a passion for every person. But we have to realise that there is a huge difference between cricket and cricketing administration. When I saw this stadium being built a few decades ago and the state of affairs at the association, it was an instrumental factor [in pushing me in it and] show where Delhi cricket was and where it should be. There was a little gap. Other states were going ahead in the race. And we were stagnated. Someone had to do the job and being an avid cricket fan and a lover of the sport, it was hurtful to see where we were. It was just an idea that I should go to members with a request to give me an opportunity to serve and bring some change. I have tried to do some changes in the last few years. I hope to continue that if the members continue to support me in the future as well.

Q. You are a lawyer, professionally. How challenging was it to come into cricket administration?

A. The legal profession is my primary occupation. I do legal practice for 365 days, every day. The cricket administration also continues actively on a day-to-basis. There has to be an active involvement in it because there is a lot that happens in the cricket ecosystem. If you see, there are 1,500 DDCA league games every year. On an average, there’d be three games a day in various venues in Delhi -- under-16, under-19, Open, Women, Junior, Senior. There is a lot happening on various fronts -- high performance, reviews, fitness. These are things which take some time. When you have picked something good to deliver, and are committed to a cause then you would do everything that is within your power to make sure that everything is achieved.

Q. There are allegations about over-expenditure and corruption. Work that has cost less in other bodies, has cost more here…

A. When I first took over the association, that day, the association had only Rs 85 lakh. Outstanding was a few crore, which was owed to people. Today, we have a significant amount of savings, close to Rs 100 crore. We have done infrastructure upgrade, player welfare, cricketing activities, and enhanced the leagues. Most of the funds that are being spent are being used for cricketing activities and cricketing infrastructure development. Nothing else. Talk about member facilities -- the restaurants and bars that were closed, we have activated them and made them functional. The gyms were in appalling conditions, new gyms have been created for both players and members. You can go and see them. You will realise what has been done. There is world-class equipment [procured] from global leaders. It is not a fly-by-night operator who has done [or provided] these things. We have had infrastructure upgrade. There were times in the past, before I came into the administration, when there were complaints about facilities like washrooms not being in good condition. We have upgraded these. You don’t get complaints now about basic amenities not being provided for spectators. There is a new restaurant that is about to be opened. Things are coming around. At the end of the day, you need to remember we are also a cricketing association, for us our primary focus is cricket. There is a card room that is functional for members, there is tambola that happens on a weekly basis. You have got a gym that is running. You have got a bar that is functional and a restaurant that is around. Card room was a feature but the remainder was missing and now they are there. With time they (facilities) will improve as soon as we have the bandwidth to, and overcome space constraints.

Q. The state’s cricket is suffering. Delhi hasn’t won a Ranji title for 16 years and reached final only once in last 16 years…

A. Delhi has been struggling for the last few years. I really don’t want to comment [on the time before me]. Ever since I have got elected to the post, we have done an overhaul of under-16 and under-19 cricket with the leagues brought about. We have results to show for that. We have qualified for tournaments. You have got players who are being called upon for the national responsibilities.

Q. That (players playing for India) was there in your father’s time too?

A. But what about in between. I am not comparing what my father did during his presidency or what happened then and what I have done. But look at the period in between. There were a few years in between where there was a gap. There were administrative problems to sum it up. What happened during that [period of] administrative problems was that cricket lost out. Today, what I am trying to do is make up for that loss period, because that period has given other states an opportunity to progress further. We have to catch up in the race. There were many players who were playing many years ago, hopefully we have many players who are coming back up. In the last few months you would have noticed, a lot of players have been called up for India A, India [national] team, players from under-19 level have been called up [for India team]. Ecosystem is showing results.

Tags : DDCA, Delhi cricket, Rohan Jaitley, Kirti Azad, elections, Rajat Sharma