Himachal Pradesh News
Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association : HPCA gets new governing body, president’s post remains vacant
The Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association elected a new set of office-bearers in Dharamsala, but no nomination was filed for the president’s post, leaving the body without a chief.
The Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA), one of the richest and most influential sports bodies in the state, has been reconstituted without a president after no nomination was filed for the top post in elections held in Dharamsala on Saturday.
While a keen contest was expected for the president’s position, not a single candidate came forward. Other office-bearers were elected unanimously, with Vijay Kumar chosen as vice-president, Manuj Sharma as secretary, Vishal Sharma as joint secretary and Vikram Singh as treasurer.
Confirming the development, outgoing HPCA secretary Avnish Parmar said that the vice-president would function as the acting president until the post is filled. “No one filed a nomination for the president’s post. As per the rules, the vice-president will act as president until a new president is elected,” Parmar said.
He added that the newly elected office-bearers will serve a three-year term and that the president can be elected at any time during this period. “In line with the Lodha Committee guidelines, the current body will resume the process to elect the president as soon as possible,” he said.
The Lodha Committee reforms had earlier brought significant changes to cricket administration across the country, including term limits and mandatory cooling-off periods. These reforms led to the stepping down of Anurag Thakur as HPCA president in 2017 after a long tenure that began in 2000.
Under Thakur’s leadership, Himachal Pradesh cricket witnessed rapid growth. The internationally acclaimed Dharamsala stadium was developed, along with several other stadiums and academies across the state. The HPCA also established the country’s first residential cricket academy in the early 2000s, from which four women cricketers have gone on to represent India.
Thakur was succeeded by his brother Arun Dhumal in 2019, who currently serves as chairman of the IPL Governing Council. RP Singh became HPCA president in 2022 and was the last person to hold the post.
Speaking after his election, newly appointed secretary Manuj Sharma said the new body would continue the momentum built over the years. “The cricketing landscape in Himachal has changed significantly since 2000. Our focus will be on carrying forward the good work and further promoting the sport in the state,” he said.
Apart from the office-bearers, three members — RS Rana, Shivender Pal Singh and Shalender Thakur — have been inducted into the HPCA apex council. Sharma said the council would be expanded gradually with the induction of more members in due course.
