Cuttack: Ace Sports Promoter Pankaj Lochan Mohanty is all set to be the Head of Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) as he was elected unopposed for the post.
Corporate Czar, Shri Mohanty is the only person who filed nomination papers for the prestigious post. His nomination remained valid and he remained uncontested.
In a notification, the OCA Electoral Officer M L Majumdar said, “Only one nomination from Shri Pankaj Lochan Mohanty for the vacant post of the President was received on the scheduled date, 12/02/2025. No objection was received against the nomination.”
The Electoral Officer scrutinized the nomination and found the same in order. Hence, the nomination of Shri Mohanty was accepted as a valid one, he said.
Shri Majumdar said the last day of withdrawal of candidature was February 14. No withdrawal application was filed on behalf of the only candidate whose nomination was found valid.
“Under the circumstances, in exercise of the power conferred under Rule- 32 of the Rules and Regulations of Odisha Cricket Association (OCA), the undersigned, does, hereby, announce that the only nomination filed by Shri Pankaj Lochan Mohanty is valid and uncontested,” read the notification issued by the EO today.
A formal declaration of election to the vacant post of the President will be announced in due course, he said.
The Electoral Officer has also taken note of the fact that Shri Mohanty was elected as the Vice President of the Apex Council of OCA in the Annual General Meeting on October 28, 2022.
He understands that Shri Mohanty is expected to resign as the Vice President anytime prior to the Special General Meeting scheduled for February 23, 2025 which is a technical requirement, and once this hurdle gets removed the winning certificate would be handed over to Shri Mohanty in the Special General Meeting on 23th February, 2025.
Shri Mohanty has already successfully served as President of the OCA. Though he stepped down from the post to pave way for BJD leader Pranab Prakash Das@Bobby, he was the man who was actually discharging the duty on ground.
Recently, after suffering a poll debacle, Shri Das has resigned from the post of President of Odisha Cricket Association (OCA).
Shri Das joined as President of OCA on October 28, 2022 and his tenure was scheduled to end in October 2025. However, he resigned from the post quoting “Personal Reasons”
At present, Vice President Pankaj Lochan Mohanty is officiating as the President of the OCA>
Shri Mohanty has been promoting sports in general and cricket in particular in the State and helping out budding talents in the field, said an insider in OCA.