New Delhi: The BCCI recommended Saturday former Indian women’s team captain Diana Edulji for the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, an honour she declined citing her current role in the board as a Supreme Court-appointed CoA member.
Earlier, a three-man BCCI panel comprising eminent journalist N Ram, acting BCCI president CK Khanna and acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary had recommended Edulji’s name alongside the late Pankaj Roy, former India opener and coach Anshuman Gaekwad, and former India women’s captain and coach Sudha Shah.
However, soon after the BCCI announcement, Edulji took the call of not accepting the award. “Since I am a member of the Hon’ble Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators of the BCCI, I do not think it is appropriate for me to accept this honour at this juncture,” Edulji said in a statement.
“I have discussed the decision with my family, friends and well wishers who wholeheartedly support my decision not to accept the award during my tenure as a member of the CoA. In fact, I had made my decision very clear last year as well when my name was suggested for this honour. Nevertheless, I would like to thank the members of the BCCI awards committee for considering me worthy of this prestigious honour,” Edulji added.
Edulji and Roy were chosen for the 2016-17 period while Gaekwad and Sudha Shah will be honoured for the 2017-18 cycle.
Abbas Ali Baig, late Naren Tamhane and late Bhudi Kunderan will get special recognition during the awards ceremony to be conducted ahead of the one-off Test between India and Afghanistan at Bangalore in June.
Press Trust of India
Being a member of the CoA, I don’t think it will be appropriate for me to accept the BCCI award at this juncture
Diana Edulji
Being a member of the CoA, I don’t think it will be appropriate for me to accept the BCCI award at this juncture
Diana Edulji