Sweden: AGM last chance to avoid rival governing bodies
7 October 2000
This month's yet-to-be-scheduled Annual General Meeting of the Swedish
Cricket Federation is likely to be the last chance to avoid a potentially
damaging split in the organisation of Swedish cricket.
Rival factions will use the democratic process at the AGM in a final attempt
to prevent the fragmentation of the SCF into two opposing bodies.
This follows the recent resignations of SCF President, Claus Bertilson, and
secretary, Govindarajah Jeganmohan from the SCF executive.
A faction, headed by Guttsta Wicked CC's Jason Beer, has proposed the
formation of a fresh governing body for Swedish cricket, Cricket Sweden
Association. The CSA claims to be pursuing a reformist agenda aimed at
placing greater emphasis on indigenous development. Bertilson and Jeganmohan
are reportedly aligned with the CSA group.
However, the reformists are known to favour change through the SCF ballot
box following advice from the European Cricket Council. The ECC has advised
that it cannot be seen to be 'authorising' the overthrow, perceived or
otherwise, of a country's recognised administrative body.
furthermore, a country whithout a clearly recognised governing body cannot
receive ECC financial support or take part in ECC sanctioned tournaments.
Without debating the merits of the CSA, conjecture over who is the
recognised administrative body caused by the formation of the CSA would
clearly be a worst case scenario for Swedish cricket. That statement is not
meant to diminish the merits of the CSA's cause, merely a statement on the
best process for reform.
Meanwhile, back on the field, Govindarajah Jeganmohan, has summarised the
2000 Swedish season:
"The Swedish season began with more clubs than the previous years and a
brand new format. The opening game saw the established taking on the 'new',
with title defender Svea C.C meeting Sigtuna C.C on Saturday, 6 May. Sigtuna
had re-entered the league after a couple of years rest in order to rebuild.
Svea CC won the match by three wickets.
On the very same day Spånga United C.C - last year winner of the third place
in the E.C.C Champion Clubs Tournament in Limavady, Ireland - sealed their
first win against the newcomer Botkyrka C.C.
So did Stockholm-Spånga United - a combined team built with the helping hand
stretched from Spånga Utd C.C. Stockholm C.C were suffering shortage of
players. Keith Armstrong led the team to a comfortable 5 wicket victory
against Pakistan C.C.
Jinnah C.C has also secured their first win against another new comer
Stockholm Akademiska Cricket Sällskap (S.A.C.S) - a very interesting team
filled with Swedes and a few Australian, English and West Indian ex-pats.
Marcús Brinkzén, Per Holström, Johan Koskinen, Fredrik Karlsson, Gustaf
Hansson and Per-Anders Jande, all who represented the Swedish National Team
in the ECC Indoor Championships in Spain, were there to strengthen the SACS.
After each team had played 6 matches and altogether 39 matches in the first
round the points-table looked as below:
Wins Losses Ties Forfeits Pts RR
1 Svea CC 6 0 0 0 139
2 Landskrona CC 6 0 0 0 135 5.00
3 Desi CC 6 0 0 0 135 4.75
4 Stockholm CC 5 1 0 0 123
5 Spånga Utd CC 3 2 1 0 91
6 Jinnah CC 3 3 0 0 87
7 Pakistan CC 2 3 1 0 67
8 Göteborg CC 2 4 0 0 62
9 Botkyrka CC 2 4 0 0 60
10 Mariestad CC 2 4 0 0 54
11 Malmö CC 1 5 0 0 37
12 Sthlm Akademiska C.S 0 6 0 0 16
13 Sigtuna CC 0 3 0 3
Sigtuna was disqualified from the league on the basis of more than one match
forfeited.
Quarter-finals
5/8 Svea CC defeated Göteborg CC
5/8 Spånga Utd CC defeated Stockholm CC
6/8 Landskrona CC defeated Pakistan CC
6/8 Desi CC defeated Jinnah CC
Semi-finals
12/8 Svea CC defeated Spånga Utd CC by 4 wickets
13/8 Landskrona CC defeated Desi CC by 27 runs
Final
Finally on Sunday 27 August, the stage was set in Landskrona for an
emotion-filled climax to the Swedish summer.
Svea CC and Landskrona CC were there to decide which one of them would
lift the prestigeous Swedish trophy. Nearly three hundred spectators
gathered to witness the event. Expectations were mountain high to enjoy the
thriller. The sun was shining and it was a wonderful day for cricket. So far
the two finalists were unbeaten in the championships. Naeem Aslam and Chand
were the umpires and Jaya Reddy, the Swedish national coach, was there to
officiate the final.
Landskrona CC won the toss and elected to have a bat.
Muhammed Rauf took the new ball in his hands and it did not take too long to
prove his craft with the new ball. On the fourth delivery, he removed Shahid
- Landskrona CC's star batsman. On the seventh delivery - after a couple of
no balls in the same over- he removed Umer. Both the openers were gone for a
duck! End of the very first over the score was only 2 for 2.
Svea CC kept the pressure all the way along on Landkrona's innings. Wickets
were fallen quickly and on regular basis. Rauf, Adnan, Faizal and Nadeem
never let the batsmen to settle in the crease. At last, Landskrona innings
ended on just 105.
For Svea bowlers it took only 22.4 overs. Rauf Muhammed (6-26) was the hero
of the hour and spinner Aru Sandanam was out of job for the day!
After having a delicious lunch Svea took on the Landskrona bowlers. It took
only 18.3 overs to seal the victory. Qamar Mohammad scored a quick 47
including seven fours. One of the Svea's most elegant batsmen, Paul, was
unbeaten on 21 and Sakeel was out on 18. It was not Naveed Hashmi's day,
otherwise a tricky left-handed opener who can take on any bowler at any
condition.
No one was surprised when Rauf Muhammed was awarded the man of the match
prize.
For Landskrona CC it was a day of huge disappointment. For Svea CC it was a
day filled with sunshine and joy. The worthy winners earned one more feather
on the cap."
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