By NOUMAN KHALIL
Without going through a bidding process, Cricket Canada has picked an official consultant for transparently revamping the system by developing a strategic road map for the promotion of cricket in Canada.
While announcing the appointment of Howard Petrook, former 1st vice president of Cricket Canada, in a press release issued in Toronto last week, Cricket Canada invited the general public, stakeholders, provincial associations and all associated or interested individuals to send their input and suggestions by Wednesday, June 30, 2010.
‘Ridiculous’ says Ahuja
Commenting on the issue, president of Champions Cricket League, Atul Ahuja, said: “I’m surprised to see that he (Petrook) has been chosen to collect this input. To change the system, we need to bring best of the best people and not those who have failed in the past and done nothing except damage the sport,” said Ahuja.
All submissions are to be made to Petrook, who has also been entrusted with revamping the system.
Experts believe a change in the system is necessary as the quality of cricket has worsened in recent times. At national level, no domestic cricket has been played for over two years; Cricket Canada declined to host the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2011 and lost its sole corporate sponsor Scotiabank; and the performance of the national team has deteriorated.
Ranjit Saini, president of the national apex governing body, told Focus he is very excited about bringing about a change in the system.
He disclosed there was no bidding process in hiring the consultant as Cricket Canada couldn’t afford to spend extra money.
He said the CEO (Chandra Gocool) picked the consultant based on Petrook’s knowledge and experience, all the executives approved the choice at the AGM (held in March), and the directors didn’t object.
“I think it was a fair process and I am very, very excited about it,” said Saini.
When asked, Gocool admitted it was not a transparent process.
“Yes, in normal circumstances there is an open and transparent bidding process, but under this situation I ‘single-sourced’ him,” said Gocool, adding: “I hope you understand that term.
“In normal business practice, single sourcing is acceptable,” said Gocool.
The contract term of Petrook, who is also president of Target Sports and Marketing International Inc, will come to an end once the project is completed, which may take two to five years.
According to Saini, the new consultant’s salary is so minimal that he will be working virtually voluntarily.
“He is doing this (volunteer work) because he is passionate about cricket,” said Saini.
In cricketing spheres, observers consider Petrook was an instrumental component of Cricket Canada’s worst-ever decision to drop out of hosting the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2011 and was also part of an unsuccessful presentation given to Sports Canada to acquire $2.5 million federal funding for hosting the World Cup.
‘Ridiculous’ says Ahuja
Commenting on the issue, president of Champions Cricket League, Atul Ahuja, said: “I’m surprised to see that he (Petrook) has been chosen to collect this input. To change the system, we need to bring best of the best people and not those who have failed in the past and done nothing except damage the sport,” said Ahuja.
“Petrook was on the Cricket Canada board as 1st vice president for five years (2002-2007) and achieved little. In 2007, he applied for CEO position and went through the entire hiring process while in office. But he was not selected and later resigned in protest,” said Atul Ahuja.
“On the input, Cricket Canada wants all the associations to drop everything in middle of peak season and respond within 20 days – this is ridiculous,” said Ahuja.
For designing a road map for the development of cricket, Petrook is now asking the public to send their input by June 30 on a variety of subjects including governance and constitution to policies-making, administration to government and public relations, players development to coaching, umpiring and selection procedures, financial development and funding to cricket operations, etc.
Recently Ahuja – the former CEO, who has also filed a lawsuit against Cricket Canada for more than $50,000 in unpaid dues – raised the matter of revamping the system in a letter to Minister of Multiculturalism Jason Kenney, and pinpointed many areas where change is needed, including subjects on which Cricket Canada is seeking public input.
The entire process will result in a draft Strategic Plan to be completed by the end of August 2010.
Suggestions/ideas can be submitted to Howard Petrook at cricketcanadastrategicplan@gmail.com by Wednesday, June 30, 2010.
For further information visit www.canadiancricket.org