Surat: The upcoming elections for the 21-member managing committee of the Surat District Cricket Association (SDCA) have sparked significant enthusiasm among the cricketing and business communities. The elections are scheduled to take place on April 13, 2025, with 108 candidates officially filing their nominations out of 176 who initially collected forms.
As per report, the election process includes key dates such as nomination verification on March 20, the deadline for withdrawal of candidatures by March 24 at 4 PM, and the final list of approved candidates being released on March 25. Voting will be held at Lalbhai Contractor Stadium from 9 AM to 4 PM on April 13, followed by the counting of votes half an hour after polling concludes.
The election has become even more intriguing with prominent leaders from the Chamber of Commerce, CREDAI, and the Tennis Club entering the fray. A head-to-head contest is expected between the Stadium Panel, led by Kanaiyabhai Contractor, and the Lalbhai Panel, spearheaded by Naynaben Contractor, the wife of the late Hemant Contractor. Naynaben has fielded over 21 candidates, intensifying the battle. Her daughters, Yashaben Contractor and Akshara Contractor, have also joined the race, while Kanaiyabhai Contractor’s sons have filed nominations for the donor seat from the Stadium Panel.
Adding another dimension to the contest is the Parivartan Panel, which was formed two years ago under the leadership of Vipul Munshi. Initially planning to ally with the Stadium Panel, some key figures from Parivartan have been unable to secure positions within it, leading to uncertainty about their next move. They are now exploring the possibility of aligning with the Lalbhai Panel.
With three major panels—Stadium, Lalbhai, and Parivartan—competing, the election is set to be highly competitive. The final picture will become clear after the nomination withdrawal deadline on March 24, revealing the final list of candidates and the alliances formed.
The SDCA election is not just about cricket administration; it is also a matter of prestige for Surat’s business and social circles, making it a high-stakes contest.
