Srinagar, June 4: Even as the power struggle within the Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) continues to unfold in courts, a fresh controversy is brewing over the proposed appointment of a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and General Manager (GM) without any public notice, recruitment process or opportunity for qualified candidates to apply.
The issue has triggered intense debate among JKCA stakeholders and cricket followers, with many questioning whether top salaried positions in an association funded substantially through BCCI grants and public resources can be filled through a closed-door process.
The controversy stems from an Apex Council meeting notice issued shortly after the newly elected body assumed office. Among the agenda items was a proposal relating to the appointment of a CEO and GM for JKCA.
Although the meeting was never held due to the ongoing legal battle, the proposal itself has sparked concerns regarding transparency, accountability and governance within the Association.
Courts Enter the Fray as JKCA Power Struggle Escalates
The dispute between Kashmir-based JKCA President Javid Ahmad Kitab and Jammu-based office-bearers has now reached the courts, with both sides challenging each other’s actions.
In a significant development, the Court of the Additional District Judge, Srinagar, stayed a notice issued by the Secretary and other office-bearers for a special meeting, observing that judicial orders could not be bypassed through fresh resolutions and notices. The court remarked that parties could not be allowed to “take the court for a ride” by issuing resolutions and notices that appeared intended to frustrate ongoing judicial proceedings.
Subsequently, President Javid Kitab invoked powers vested in him under Rule 17(e) of the JKCA Constitution and issued a notice convening a Special General Meeting (SGM) on June 6, 2026, at Sher-i-Kashmir Cricket Stadium, Srinagar. The meeting was projected as a major step towards restoring decision-making powers to elected representatives after years of administration by court-appointed and BCCI-appointed committees.
However, the legal battle took another turn when the Secretary and other office-bearers challenged the SGM notice before a Jammu court. The court later stayed the operation of the SGM notice as well and fixed the matter for further hearing on June 6, 2026.
As matters stand, notices issued by both camps have come under judicial scrutiny, reflecting the deep constitutional and administrative divide within the newly elected JKCA body.
Why the CEO and GM Proposal Is Raising Questions
While the court cases continue, many within cricket circles are focusing on what was proposed in the Apex Council agenda — the appointment of a CEO and General Manager.
Sources within JKCA claim that there were discussions regarding filling the positions directly through Apex Council approval. Critics argue that if such appointments are made without advertisement, public notice or a documented recruitment process, they could become highly controversial and potentially challengeable.
The questions being raised include:
Was any vacancy publicly advertised?
Were qualifications and eligibility criteria notified?
Were applications invited from eligible candidates?
Was a search or selection committee constituted?
Were interviews conducted?
How would the selected candidates be evaluated against other professionals?
Observers argue that the absence of a transparent recruitment process would deny other qualified candidates an opportunity to compete for the positions and could undermine confidence in the Association’s governance.
How BCCI Appoints Its Top Executives
Governance experts point out that professional cricket bodies are expected to follow transparent and merit-based procedures while appointing senior executives.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has provisions for the appointment of a professional CEO and emphasizes a fair and transparent process for filling such positions. Senior executive appointments are generally based on qualifications, experience and a structured selection process involving scrutiny of candidates rather than direct nomination without competition.
While procedures may vary, the underlying principle remains that appointments to key executive positions should inspire confidence and withstand scrutiny.
Transparency Essential for JKCA’s Future
For an Association that spent nearly a decade under administrators and committees before returning to elected governance, transparency in appointments has become an important test of credibility.
Even if the Apex Council ultimately possesses the authority to appoint professional staff, governance experts argue that appointments to highly paid executive positions such as CEO or GM should ideally follow an open, merit-based and transparent process.
JKCA has spent years attempting to rebuild its image after controversies and allegations of mismanagement. Any perception that key positions are being filled through a secretive process could further deepen divisions within the Association and invite fresh disputes.
With the courts already examining rival claims over authority and constitutional powers, many stakeholders believe that the best way forward is a recruitment process that is transparent, competitive and beyond question.
For an organization entrusted with managing cricket across Jammu and Kashmir, the appointment of a CEO or GM is not merely an administrative decision — it is a test of governance, accountability and public trust.
