USA Cricket Officials Accused of Election Misconduct

USA Cricket is facing another legal dispute as governance issues continue to cause unrest. Current board member Atul Rai, along with former board members Kuljit Nijjar, Arjun Gona, and Patricia Whittaker, have filed a lawsuit against the organization’s leadership. They claim election manipulation, governance breaches, and violations of regulations set by the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC).

The lawsuit alleges that certain board members worked together to unlawfully remove fellow directors and are now influencing membership registrations to control upcoming elections. It also raises concerns about the board’s failure to hold elections on time, despite several members’ terms expiring. Additionally, the lawsuit points out that USA Cricket has disregarded USOPC-mandated athlete representation requirements, which could impact the organization’s credibility.

ICC and USOPC Oversight

The timing of the lawsuit is crucial, as the International Cricket Council (ICC) is already monitoring USA Cricket’s governance. Last year, the ICC issued a deferred suspension, demanding immediate improvements. With cricket set to be part of the upcoming Los Angeles Olympics, ongoing leadership disputes could affect the sport’s growth in the United States.

The lawsuit names USA Cricket and several board members as defendants, including Chairman Venu Pisike, Srini Salver, Pintoo Shah, David Haubert, Nadia Gruny, and Anj Balusu. The plaintiffs are seeking the removal of these officials, reinstatement of removed board members, and cancellation of the upcoming elections, citing lack of transparency and fairness.

Calls for Accountability and Reform

Atul Rai addressed the situation, stating, “I am reluctant to discuss this matter as it is currently before the courts. However, I would like to state that we have exhausted all internal avenues to address these governance failures, and legal action is now our only recourse to ensure that USA Cricket does not miss the opportunity to be certified by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) before the deadline expires. Since mid-last year, the USOPC has repeatedly warned USA Cricket’s governing body about governance issues and the risk of not being certified. Additionally, the ICC threatened to suspend USA Cricket last year. During the ICC AGM, USA Cricket was placed on controlled funding, and the ICC established a committee to assist with compliance issues. USA Cricket’s leadership has consistently ignored transparency and due process, threatening the integrity of the sport in the U.S. Our goal is to restore accountability, fairness, and trust in the organization.”

The plaintiffs hope that legal intervention will help USA Cricket adopt better governance practices, restore accountability, and secure a stable future for the sport in the country.