Cuttack: Veteran Sports Promoter and Corporate Czar Pankaj Lochan Mohanty is back as Chief of Odisha Cricket Association(OCA) as BJD leader Pranab Prakash Das@Bobby has resigned from the post of President of Odisha Cricket Association (OCA).
Bobby Das has tendered resignation, informed the OCA Secretary Sanjay Behera about former’s decision.
Pranab 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”
“In the meantime, our Vice President Pankaj Lochan Mohanty will officiate as the President,” the Secretary said.
Shri Mohanty has already successfully served as President of the OCA and has been able to handle the International Matches in the Barabati stadium with the active support from the State Government and State Police.
Shri Mohanty has promoting sports in general and cricket in particular in the State and helping out budding talents in the field, said an insider in OCA.
Speaking to media persons, OCA Secretary Sanjay Behera said, “When Shri Das submitted his resignation, I requested him to continue. But he said that he is resigning due to personal problems.”
Notably, the BJD lost power in the 2024 Assembly polls in Odisha. Shri Das also faced humiliating defeat in this year’s Parliamentary elections, losing the Sambalpur Lok Sabha seat to senior saffron leader and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
As per the constitution of OCA, the new President will be appointed within 45 days. However, as the one day International match scheduled to be played in Barabati Stadium in February, the election for the post will be held after the match, he informed media persons.