Commentary stint eliminates Sandeep Patil’s President candidature for MCA polls
Sandeep Patil, who had the backing to contest for the position of MCA president, has eliminated his candidature thanks to the much-debated conflict of interest. Although Patil wanted to be a part of the MCA, he has a contract with Star Sports Marathi commentary which is a direct conflict.
Conflict of Interest has become such a difficult proposition to handle that almost everyone associated with the sports has come under scrutiny for any kind of conflicts. Yesterday, Ethics Officer Justice DK Jain served notice to Kapil Dev-led Cricket Advisory Committee, which subsequently led to Shantha Rangaswamy resigning from her role as a member.
Now, former India chief selector Sandeep Patil had to forfeit the candidature for the role of Mumbai Cricket Association president post as it clashes with the conflict of him being associated with the BCCI broadcaster as a television commentator.
The Times of India reported that on Sunday, the 63-year-old, who was a part of India’s 1983 World Cup-winning team, met MCA's election commissioner DN Chaudhary to seek clarification along with MCA CEO CS Nayak and former MCA president Ravi Savant. Chaudhary, however, told him that he had to quit being a commentator if he chose to take part in the MCA election.
"It's unfortunate. I was very keen to serve Mumbai cricket, but I had made it clear that I can't leave my contract with Star Sports, as it's my bread and butter," Patil told TOI. "I respect the rules, but this clause is preventing former cricketers from serving the game. I feel sad about it," he was quoted by ToI as saying.
MCA will hold its election on October 4 and after many deliberations, Ashish Shelar, who is the state sports and education minister, backed him for the role to contest from Bal Mahaddalkar group of the association. In Patil’s rejection, the group is likely to field Vijay Patil, owner of DY Patil Group, for the president's post.
