NPCA finally set for elections

Almost four years since it last held a meaningful annual meeting, the Nairobi Provincial Cricket Association will hold fresh elections this Saturday (June 28) which should bring to and end a two-year simmering row between it and Cricket Kenya.

The NPCA, which is Kenya's major province, has been in turmoil for the past year after resignations and infighting left them without any senior officials. The chairman, Salim Dhanji, left his post in January 2007 and was replaced by Sukbhans Singh as interim chairman. But Singh, who attracted considerable criticism, has been absent himself of late, leaving the NPCA with no head. David Waters, the secretary, quit earlier this year, and other executive members have also stood down.

At the heart of the rows have been the failure of the executive to hold elections, annual meetings or to present accounts. They have also refused to introduce a new constitution in line with those used by other provinces and which they agreed to do in 2005.

This weekend's meeting will see a new chairman elected as well as an eight-man council chosen from the three delegates put forward by each of Nairobi's clubs.

Sharad Ghai, the former KCA chairman who last year made a surprising return as one of Nairobi Gymkhana's delegates, will now appear on behalf of Nairobi Institute after a reshuffle at the Gymkhana left him out in the cold. Jackie Janmohamed, another with links to the old KCA, will also represent Nairobi Institute after a similar reshuffle at Simba Union.