Eight teams from across the country and abroad for Moin-ud-Dowlah Gold Cup
1 Sept 2015 7:36 AM IST
ICC chief Zaheer Abbas in Hyderabad for Gold Cup final
Representational image
Hyderabad: Eight teams from across the country and abroad will vie for the Hyderabad Cricket Association’s annual Moin-ud-Dowlah Gold Cup to be played at various grounds in the city from Wednesday. Hyderabad XI, Air India, MRF, Food Corporation of India, Hyderabad President’s XI, Sri Lanka Developmental side, India Cements and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited have been divided into two groups, the winners of which will contest the final on September 16.
Matches will be held at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Gymkhana Grounds, DMRC-1 near Hakimpet Bus Depot and Vijayanand Gardens. However, the tournament which started in 1930-31 has lost its sheen over the years. Once a big draw for the country’s top cricketers, it has now been reduced to a side show.
HCA president Arshad Ayub was upbeat though. “This will provide the perfect platform for players to tune up for the upcoming Ranji Trophy,” he told a press conference on Monday.
The former Test player recalled the days he earned his stripes playing in the tournament to full houses. “The tournament was very popular back in the 1960s through 80s,” veteran administrator P.R. Man Singh recalled.
Arshad also announced that ICC president and former Pakistan captain Zaheer Abbas will be in the city to give away the winner’s trophy, which can be termed quite an accomplishment by the HCA.
All well with HCA, says prez Arshad
Speaking on the occasion, Arshad reiterated the poll plank of cricket first on which his team got elected last year as he vowed transparency in the HCA.
Asked about the recent voices of dissent, he replied: “There’s always trouble in a family.” Offering further clarification, Arshad said, “We have had 10 Executive Committee meetings so far but have experienced hiccups in just one.”
With regard to the HCA facing a case of power pilferage at the stadium, Arshad felt “someone has played mischief to embarrass us.” Explaining the low-finances in the HCA, Arshad said everything was accounted for in the books. He replied in the negative when asked a pointed question whether office-bearers were being paid remuneration to attend EC meetings.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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