Rupa is the wife of Gurunath Meiyappan, former owner of IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings.
The Supreme Court of India gave a green flag to the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) elections recently. Now it seems like the legacy of N Srinivasan, former TNCA and BCCI President might continue as club representatives want Srinivasan's daughter Rupa Gurunath to take over as the new president, as per sources.
With no names being floated for President from any other camps, Rupa is on her way to becoming the first-ever woman to hold a President’s position in any of the cricket associations of the BCCI.
The club representatives want the legacy of Srinivasan to continue and that's why they insisted that the India Cements whole-time director takes over at the state association. This was discussed in an informal meeting that took place between the TNCA top brass and the club representatives.
“Even though she is a newcomer to cricket politics, Rupa is extremely hands-on when it comes to cement business. She is a chip off the old block and we believe she will be up for the challenge," a source close to the developments told TOI.
It is likely that Rupa’s name will be announced on Monday in the Executive Committee meeting of TNCA. If all goes according to plan, she will file her nomination on Tuesday.
Rupa is the wife of former CSK owner Gurunath Meiyappan, is a known quantity in the cricketing circles in Tamil Nadu. "Rupa knows the BCCI bigwigs very well and given her track record as a top boss of India Cements, she will be quite a force in the new scheme of things. And the fact that the TNCA old guard will be there to help her, it shouldn't be a problem for her to run the ship," the source added.
“TNCA top-brass made it clear that "she will only become the president if the members want it". "Nothing will be imposed upon members. If Rupa becomes TNCA chief, it will be because the members want it," a source said.
The TNCA brass also thanked the Supreme Court for allowing the association to have an extra assistant secretary. "We wanted an assistant secretary who can take care of the 30 districts. We are happy that the Supreme Court has listened to our request," a senior member said.
The Supreme Court has also told that TNCA can ask the Amicus Curae for a slight delay of the state body elections which are scheduled on September 28. "It's just eight days and we will weigh the situation before taking a call on that," the source added.
Meanwhile, former India and TN leg-spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan could be in the fray for the TNCA secretary's post.
(Source: Times of India)