KOCHI, July 24: The Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) seems to have left the issue of appointing the cricket manager for the Ranji Trophy side for the coming season wide open. There was no decision on this matter at the meetings of KCA held last month. But it is likely that the job could go to former Indian all-rounder Syed Abid Ali.Abid, who is now the National coach of Maldives, is here with the side for a series of preparatory matches before the September tournament for Associate Members of the Asian Cricket Council in Nepal. Speaking to The Indian Express, Abid said: ``My contract with Maldives ends after the tournament in Nepal. I have spoken to the President of KCA and SK Nair, Treasurer, BCCI, about my conditions. The ball is now in the KCA court.''
Top KCA officials had, even at the end of the last season, hinted that Abid was the man on top of their list. He looked fighting fit which belied his 56 years. It's just four months since Abid Ali was appointed Maldives coach. Though theimmediate target for him is to enable the side perform creditably in the tournament in Nepal, he is keen to see that cricket is given due importance by the authorities in Maldives.
``Despite numerous hurdles, there is latent talent in the island. If the National side does well, it may prompt the authorities to give it due recognition.''
Abid is not new to coaching. Before he migrated to the US in 1980, he had a short stint with the Hyderabad junior side which included Mohammed Azharuddin and Vivek Jaisimha. On migrating to the US, he coached club sides in California, where the game is active.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
