13-point election manifesto released by Kirti Azad for Players’ Association elections

Kirti Azad, who is looking to win the players' representative elections at the Indian Cricketers’ Association (ICA) polls on October 11, has released a 13-point election manifesto in an attempt to get the better of his competitors Anshuman Gaekwad and Dodda Ganesh. The former Indian cricketer has revealed that he was keen on bringing about a difference to the lives of several former first-class cricketers, who find themselves in a distressed position, especially financially.

The manifesto also focuses on medical insurance cover, pension, one-time ex-gratia payment to recently retired cricketers and travel insurance on par with international cricketers.

“Me along with Ashok Malhotra (set to be new ICA president), Surinder Khanna (players’ representative at IPL Apex Council) are together as a group,” Azad told PTI, reported Sportstar.

The fourth candidate for the post is former Saurashtra and India A left-arm spinner Rakesh Dhruv. While Dhruv is expected to get the backing of the strong Saurashtra and Gujarat lobby of players, Azad, on the other hand, will be banking on the North Indian block.

Key points from the manifesto

• Providing pension to every cricketer, who has played even one first class match (currently, the eligibility number is 25 first class matches.
• Substantial increase of current pension amount being paid to the cricketers.
• Ensuring every cricketer and his dependent family members are provided comprehensive medical and hospitalisation as well as OPD expenses through the help of Group Medical insurance cover.
• Ensuring one-time ex-gratia payment to all the cricketers who have retired five years ago (currently provided to cricketers who retired before 2005).
• Remove the disparities and anomalies pertaining to the remuneration of Ranji Trophy and that of junior national (age-group) players.
• Travel insurance on par with the international cricketers.