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Kolkata: Former India captain Sourav Ganguly on Thursday vowed to focus on junior cricket and create a system which produces players as he was unanimously elected President of Cricket Association of Bengal.
“For us the entire focus will be on the 22 yards. That’s what the association is for and try and produce the best facilities. We have good facilities we will try to make it better and create a system which produces players.
“It’s a new challenge but I believe the knowledge of the game is important. We are a team. I learn also. There’s no magic wand. I have learnt as a secretary, It’s same with Avishek also,” Ganguly said at a news conference after the Special General Meeting.
The SGM, which lasted less than 10 minutes, was just a formality as he was garlanded before taking over the hot seat in the BC Roy Club House where once Dalmiya ran the world cricket administration.
A former joint secretary since 2014, Ganguly took over as the president, while junior Avishek Dalmiya was formally inducted into the cricket administration as joint-secretary.
The two appointments were announced by West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee at the state secretariat Nabanna three days after Jagmohan Dalmiya’s demise on September 20.
Ganguly futher said his focus would also be on junior cricket.
“I have a huge idea. It’s about trying to get them young.
It’s what the big football clubs do, look after them and by the time they’re 15 they become world beaters. CAB has got the money and infrastructure to do it and we’ll do that.”
Asked whether he would get foreign coaches, he said: “Good coach does not necessarily have to be from overseas. We have to see the logistics. We have enough people around. No system is foolproof. There will be hiccups. We will try and best. We have to work as a team and make it transparent.”
Ganguly, who was once termed the most successful India’s captain, said the challenge is bigger as an administrator as here he would have to manage 121 affiliated units. He stressed on importance of team work.
“It’s just the number of people who are a bit more here.
In Team India, I had to deal with 15. Here I have to deal with 121. There are a lot of good people. In every aspect of life there will be challenges. At home there are people who think differently. You have to get them on the plane. It’s about creating a system.
“Whatever happens will be in the association’s name and whatever does not happen will be in the association’s name.
That’s most important thing,” Ganguly said.
The 43-year-old said Dalmiya would be his role model but he would tread his own path.
“I will start on a clean slate. I have learnt a lot in 11-12 months. If you expect me to have the experience of Mr Dalmiya, it’s impossible. I’ve said in my speech, I am not filling anyone’s boot. I’m just trying to walk on my own feet and do the best I can. Immediate next work is Eden Gardens.”
Terming it an unexpected and proud moment, Ganguly said: “It’s unexpected, something which I didnt even think of. 13 months ago, if somebody would have told me you would become the president, I would not have believed it. It would be like somebody telling me you would get a century at Lord’s on debut before I played there.
“Life you never know. It’s about doing what you can do the best. Be honest. Last 20 years my life has taught me all this things. It’s through experience. The belief has not come just because I believe but because I’ve seen it happen.”
“I did not want to be in this situation under such circumstances but that’s life. You never know what’s going to happen six months later. Both of us have a responsibility to take his good work forward. We’ll do that to the best of our ability.”
He further said he’s already cut down on TV commentaries and still contemplating whether to play in the Shane Warne-Sachin Tendulkar’s Veterans Twenty20.
“I have already signed for the veteran’s league but I’ve not spoken to Sachin. I am scared to speak to him yet. We will see what happens.”
Ganguly termed Avishek as his vice-captain Rahul Dravid.
“I’ve my vice-captain next to me. He’s my new Rahul Dravid.”
Avishek also said his affinity with Ganguly would be a big positive for him.
“I know him since birth. He’s not new. He’s been there since my birth.”
On his father’s vision Avishek said, “There’re a plenty of things which he wanted to take forward, it’s like local cricket, infrastructure development in Kolkata Maidan. We will see how best we can develop local infrastructure. There’re a whole chain of activity and we have to take it religiously.”
