Cricket Canada faced a significant setback this week as the global governing body for cricket suspended funding to the organization, as revealed by investigations from the fifth estate. The International Cricket Council (ICC) based in Dubai issued the notice just after Cricket Canada’s recent annual general meeting, during which a new board was elected.
The funding freeze came in the wake of an investigative report by the fifth estate, which highlighted allegations of corruption, financial mismanagement, and match-fixing attempts involving key figures within Cricket Canada. The accused individuals have refuted these claims.
With the majority of its funding coming from the ICC, Cricket Canada disclosed in its 2024 financial report that it received approximately $3.6 million from the ICC, constituting 63% of its revenue for that year. The ICC stipulated that Cricket Canada must address several issues within six months to avoid a permanent loss of funding.
In response to the situation, Cricket Canada’s media manager, Jimmy Sharma, stated the current board is dedicated to resolving governance, compliance, and financial control deficiencies inherited from previous administrations. Newly-elected Vice-President Ranjit Chaudhri acknowledged awareness of the ICC’s letter but emphasized the commitment to addressing governance and financial issues within the organization.
The funding freeze was primarily attributed to violations of ICC policies, including governance concerns and inadequate financial oversight at Cricket Canada. The ICC pointed out discrepancies in budget submissions, such as inaccurate information regarding Sport Canada funding and underestimations of legal fees.
A recent court ruling in British Columbia exposed governance challenges within Cricket Canada, highlighting internal conflicts and the absence of proper financial controls. Despite Sport Canada withdrawing its funding, Cricket Canada failed to address the ministry’s concerns, including the absence of a recruitment process for key management roles after the dismissal of former CEO Salman Khan.
Regarding the election of interim President Arvinder Khosa as the new president at Cricket Canada’s annual general meeting, questions arose about his past involvement in governance disputes and financial accountability issues. An investigation by the fifth estate linked Khosa to allegations of connections with individuals claiming to be part of the Bishnoi gang, raising concerns about player safety and match integrity.
Despite these controversies, board members, including Amit Joshi, expressed support for Khosa, emphasizing trust in his leadership. The board’s decision to elect Khosa as president came under scrutiny following revelations from the investigative report.
The situation underscores the need for Cricket Canada to address governance deficiencies and financial shortcomings to regain the trust of the ICC and stakeholders in the cricket community.