MUMBAI: The Asian Cricket Council elected BCCI secretary Jay Shah as ACC president Saturday, following its AGM held virtually.
Shah takes over the reins from Nazmul Hassan, president, Bangladesh Cricket Board. At 32, the son of the second most powerful politician in India – Union home minister Amit Shah – is the youngest administrator to be appointed as ACC president.
While addressing the AGM, Shah said: “… The ACC continues to foster healthy rivalry among some of the biggest cricket playing nations while it also takes the sport deeper into the smaller pockets. We must remain committed to this cause and ensure there is an all-round development in the region.
“The pandemic has posed enormous challenges but history has shown that innovation often arises in periods of adversity and we must adapt and innovate to stay ahead. While I have noticed that most boards have again started their cricketing operations with their senior team, the challenge still remains with women’s cricket and age-group cricket. The ACC has done pioneering work in both women’s cricket and age-group with the multiple tournaments it conducts across the year and we must build on this.”
Sourav Ganguly, president, BCCI, commented: “The BCCI will extend every help and will play a big role in rebuilding and restructuring of the cricketing activities in Asia.
Rajeev Shukla, vice-president, BCCI, said: “The ACC currently needs strong leadership to overcome the hardships faced by everyone in 2020 and Jay and BCCI will play a mentoring role.”
BCCI treasurer Arun Singh Dhumal (brother of Union minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs Anurag Thakur), echoed Shukla while adding: “The ACC is in need of a strong leadership and he is definitely the right person to take charge. The BCCI in the past has always stood by member boards and will continue to play an important role.”
