ATSUM alleges "grave injustice in selection of state U-25 cricket team
Source: Chronicle News Service
Kangpokpi, January 15 2023:
All Manipur Tribal Students' Union (ATSUM) has taken strong exception to the exclusion of an up-and-coming tribal cricketer, accusing Manipur Cricket Association (MNCA) of doing "a grave injustice" in the selection of the state U-25 cricket team.
ATSUM's assistant legal secretary Th Vipuni Ruhmai stated that a grave injustice marked by discrimination and prejudice has been done in the selection of players for Under-25 state cricket team.
He alleged that Alfred Hmangaisang Hmar of REYS Nagamapal, the only tribal cricket player in the state cricket scene and whom the tribal people of the state could take pride of, has surreptitiously been excluded from the state cricket team.
ATSUM takes strong exception to the exclusion of this up and coming cricketer of the state as he strongly deserves to represent the state, Vipuni added.
"Alfred Hmangaisang Hmar is overall ranked third (bowler) in the recently concluded Elite (1st Division) Domestic Cricket League organised by MNCA (Manipur Cricket Association) and first (bowler) amongst the Under-25 bowlers as per CRIC HEROES.
In spite of his outstanding performance, he has been found excluded from the selection list of the Under-25 state team for the second time whereas a bowler ranked as low as 39th in the domestic tournament has been found selected," pointed out the ATSUM leader.
Vipuni Ruhmai continued, "Earlier, a letter of complaint was submitted by his concerned club seeking an explanation when he was dropped from the state team for Under-25 One day BCCI tournament.
It is learned that an understanding between the two sides (MNCA and the Club concerned) was arrived at with the former assuring the club that the matter will be looked after so as to prevent any unwanted situation in the future.
However, the same thing happened again for the second time when such a young and promising cricketer is being dropped from the state team for the upcoming BCCI Tournament" .
He then said, "ATSUM is deeply concerned by the discriminatory and arbitrary process being pursued by the selectors of MNCA...
there is a strong feeling that Alfred Hmangaisang Hmar was dropped in the selection process as he represents a tribal community, otherwise, there is no reason why such a superb bowler who ranked 1st amongst the state bowlers could be dropped and substituted by a player who ranked 39th".While saying that ATSUM has written to the MNCA to "look into such an arbitrary process of selection", Vipuni Ruhmai advised MNCA to "get its act together otherwise it will lose the confidence of the people of the state", adding that the Union may be constrained to take up stronger measures so that justice prevails.