Hyderabad: Alleged intimidation, coercion and blackmailing for free tickets by Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) brass, especially president A Jagan Mohan Rao, has forced Sunrisers Hyderabad to do a rethink about playing their IPL matches at their home venue — Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium (RGIC) in Uppal, here.
In a hard-hitting mail to HCA treasurer CJ Srinivas Rao, Sunrisers’ general manager Srinath TB made it clear that they were not willing to put up with such behaviour. “All these unprofessional threats and actions by HCA, especially by the HCA president, make it evident that you don’t want Sunrisers to play at your stadium. If that is the case, please let me know in writing so that we can inform BCCI, the Telangana govt, and our management that you wish for us to move to another venue, and we will move,” Srinath stated in the e-mail, a copy of which is with TOI.
“We have been working with HCA for the last 12 years. Only from last season have we been facing constant issues and harassment from HCA,” Srinath alleged in the mail.
Highlighting the arrangement with HCA, Srinath wrote: “For several years, HCA has been allocated 50 complimentary tickets (F12A box), as a part of the 3,900 complimentary tickets. However, this year, you are claiming the capacity of the box to be only 30 and asking for additional 20 complimentary tickets in a different box. When this was brought to our notice, we informed you that we shall discuss and come to a mutually amicable solution.”
What triggered the row was HCA representatives locking up a box on the day of the SRH-LSG match on Thursday. “Please note that we pay the appropriate rent for the stadium, and during the tenure of the IPL, the stadium is under our jurisdiction. But in the last game, you locked the F3 box, refusing to open it unless 20 extra free tickets were given to you. This unprofessional behaviour creates a hostile environment, making cooperation increasingly difficult,” he stated.
“Furthermore, we must highlight that this is not the first instance of such intimidation, threats, and coercion from HCA to our staff in the last two years. The HCA president has previously issued many threats this year, and it was brought to HCA’s notice,” the mail adds.
As a way out, the SRH GM suggested the agreement be adhered to. “Given the constant threats, coercion and blackmailing by HCA, we suggest that we go as per the signed agreement between us, as per which we will allocate 10% of complimentary tickets across each stand,” Srinath said and ended the mail by saying, “In light of these developments, we formally request a meeting with the apex council members at the earliest convenience to discuss and resolve this matter.”
HCA president Jagan Mohan admitted that they received mail from SRH. “There is an issue between HCA and SRH over 20 complimentary tickets. We are looking into the matter and will resolve it,” he told TOI.
“The secretary is trying to prevent an escalation. He is working on resolving the issue amicably, but it remains to be seen how the president responds to the crisis,” HCA sources said.