Kumble, Srinath back Prasad in KSCA presidential race

Prasad's team will be up against 'Team Brijesh', which is backed by former cricketer and administrator Brijesh Patel. K.N. Shanth Kumar, director of The Printers Mysore Ltd - publisher of Deccan Herald, will contest for the president's position from this group. Former KSCA treasurer Jairam E.S. will compete for the secretary's position while D. Vinod Sivappa (vice president), M.S. Vinay (treasurer) and former umpire B.K. Ravi (joint secretary) are the others eyeing office bearer positions from the group backed by Brijesh.

Prasad, who served as KSCA vice-president in the Kumble-led administration between 2010 and 2013, said the challenges facing the association now were far greater than when he last held office. "There are always challenges and now it's an even bigger challenge. The academies, the grounds, the stadiums - they are in dilapidated condition and we need to work on it. It's a huge effort."

He added that reviving the focus on cricket - and restoring the Chinnaswamy Stadium's reputation as an international venue - would be among the team's top priorities. "Cricket has suffered, and has taken a backseat completely. Women's cricket has been neglected. So we need to work on all these areas. It's not going to be easy, and you're not going to see results right away. But our focus is simple and straight to the point - reviving Chinnaswamy Stadium's glory by getting back international matches."

Somasunder, who until recently served as head of education at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, said he decided to join Prasad's team after observing how the game's administration in the state had drifted away from cricketing priorities. "I was completely immersed in the activities for the Centre of Excellence. But as cricketers, we always have one eye on what's happening - who's playing well, which youngster is coming through, how the system is functioning. It became very evident that cricket was not being run by people who understood the game," he said.

He added that for someone who has spent years educating coaches on being "player-centric", the time had come to walk the talk. "When we have the opportunity to give back, I can't keep complaining forever. I have to put my hand up and sacrifice whatever I'm enjoying for a bigger cause. I always told coaches to have others' orientation rather than self-orientation. If I don't execute that myself when the opportunity arises, then what's the point?"

"We felt that Karnataka cricket is suffering and one of the reasons why we are here is to make a difference. Seems like whatever happened in those three years (2010-2013) has been undone," Kumble said. "What is critical is the importance that needs to be given to the aspirant boy or girl who dreams of playing. The other stakeholder that has been neglected is the fan. Cricket is so popular because of the fans, and for us, the Chinnaswamy Stadium is like a temple.

"June 4th was a black mark for all of us. We certainly feel very hurt, saddened and we are all with the families of the lives that were lost. That cannot be undone. But I think what can certainly be done is to again regain the glory of Karnataka cricket. Karnataka is, in terms of Ranji Trophies, they are only second to Mumbai. And that glory has been lost over the years. And even in terms of representation, that also has been lost.

"The recent historical victory by the women's cricket team, we are all extremely proud of the girls. The way they went and won the tournament at the halfway stage it seemed like they may not qualify. And with an important member missing out on the semi-final and the final and then the replacement coming in and winning the player of the final, this is something truly amazing. But what was very evident was we didn't have a representative there. I think that's something that needs to change as well."

"When one group hands over responsibility to another, you need to add more infrastructure, more teams, and give opportunities to more kids. If you see this kind of dwindling infrastructure, what kind of signals are you sending?" he said. "The reputation of KSCA needs to be restored. Venkatesh Prasad is here to change that course again - for development, for growth, and for the youngsters who want to make it big in cricket."

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