NEWS
Follow UsThe Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on December 9 (Monday), appointed Devajit Lon Saikia as the new acting secretary. Saikia replaced Jay Shah, who began his tenure as ICC Chairman on December 5.
Saikia was appointed by BCCI president Roger Binny as ‘acting’ secretary as there was no election held for the position. This is a temporary settlement till the time the new permanent secretary is elected according to BCCI's regulations.
"The president in the event of vacancy or indisposition shall delegate the functions to another office bearer until the vacancy is duly filled up or indisposition ceases.
Accordingly, I delegate the functions of secretary to you till the post is filled up by processes laid down as per BCCI rules and regulations. I am confident you will perform the duties to the best of your abilities and with aplomb," A letter written to Saikia by Binny was quoted by ESPN Cricinfo.
Who is Devajit Saikia?
Hailing from Assam, Devajit played four first-class matches between 1990 and 1991 as a wicketkeeper-batter, collecting 53 runs with the highest score of 24. He was also able to take eight catches and had a stumping to his name as well.
However, after not achieving the desired success in the game as a player, he moved to the field of Law. He started practising as a lawyer at the age of 28 in Gauhati High Court. But before that, the young sportsman had secured jobs in the Northern Frontier Railways and Reserve Bank of India (RBI) through sports quota as well.
Saikia came into the cricket administration of the Assam Cricket Association (ACA) in 2016 when Hemanta Biswasarma, the now chief minister, became president of the body. Saikia was one of the six vice presidents. In 2019, he became the ACA secretary, elected unopposed.
After serving three years as ACA secretary, Saikia was elected to the post of BCCI joint secretary in 2022.
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