A Day after Mumbai Schools Sports Association (MSSA) ejected Rizvi Springfield High School (Bandra) from this season's Harris Shield Elite Division boys U-16 inter-school cricket tournament for fielding an overage player, the school has submitted a reply questioning the 121-year-old school sports body about its action and even threatened to take the matter to the MCA
A Day after Mumbai Schools Sports Association (MSSA) ejected Rizvi Springfield High School (Bandra) from this season's Harris Shield Elite Division boys U-16 inter-school cricket tournament for fielding an overage player, the school has submitted a reply questioning the 121-year-old school sports body about its action and even threatened to take the matter to the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA).
No basis for ouster
“We submitted a reply to MSSA’s letter today asking for a justification as to why we are barred from playing in the inter-school tournament this season. Just on the basis of an RTI (Right to Information), the MSSA took such a big decision to ban the school.
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“On what basis have they banned us? We will also send a letter to the MCA asking them to intervene in this matter,” said Rizvi coach Raju Pathak.
Since Rizvi, which had reached the semi-final of the Harris Shield, has been thrown out of the competition this year, Parle Tilak English (Vile Parle), will take their place in the clash against Don Bosco (Matunga).
Interestingly, Rizvi Springfield have not been barred from participating in this year’s Giles Shield, which begins on December 30. Meanwhile, the cricketer in the eye of the storm has been handed a ban of two years for submitting incorrect age proof documents.
Verify first!
Pathak further slammed the MSSA for calling the player overage without any proper verification. “The player in question is in the current Mumbai U-16 team. The MCA conducted a bone test and his age as per the test, is 15. If MSSA had issues, they should have conducted another bone test and then come to a conclusion.
“MSSA didn’t follow the right procedure (as per MSSA rules, in case of protest against an overage player, the player will have to undergo a medical test by the doctor appointed by MSSA on the day and time decided by the MSSA, and the doctor’s report will be final). Does MSSA consider itself bigger than MCA?” asked Pathak.
MSSA cricket secretary HS Bhor was refused to comment on the matter.
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