Calcutta: June 30 will see the end of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) in its present shape. It would also mark the end of Syed Ashraful Huq's association of nearly 32 years with the organisation.
The International Cricket Council (ICC), which is headed by Narayanswami Srinivasan, has decided to stop funding regional institutions and, so, the oldest one in cricket can continue in skeleton form only.
That's ironical as India, which nominated Srinivasan as the ICC chairman, had taken the lead in setting up the ACC.
Come July 1, the ACC will begin functioning out of Singapore, with no more than two full-time employees.
Huq has been with the ACC in one capacity or the other since its inception, in September 1983. It's rare for somebody to be involved with an international body for over three decades.
"I've had a long innings and have no personal regrets. I respect the decision of the board of directors on the ACC's restructuring, even though it means there won't be any place for a CEO," Huq, who has held that position since it was introduced, in 2002, told The Telegraph.
Speaking on Saturday, Huq (a special invitee to the IPL VIII final) added: "Professionally, I'm disappointed that the ACC couldn't take forward its China project...
"We'd done quite a bit of work, but the exercise was shelved. Cricket definitely needs to tap new markets...
"But, looking back, there have been quite a few pluses, including the emergence of Afghanistan on the global stage. That, indeed, has been very satisfying."
With the ACC's secretariat in Kuala Lumpur about to be disbanded, between 10-12 employees are going to be without a job.
The development officers, including India's Venkatapathy Raju, would henceforth work with the ICC's Development Asia.
A couple of the other staff, too. However, everyone hasn't been that lucky at a time jobs aren't easy to come by.
Huq, whose roots are in Bangladesh (he's worn the national colours in the 1979 ICC Trophy), is not known to sit idle. But, right now, he's not sure how he'll be keeping himself engaged.
"I'll be in Kuala Lumpur for some time, at least... After a break, I'll have to look at options...
"You know, it's not in my nature to not do anything. Besides, it will be about my bread and butter," Huq said, before leaving for dinner at Sourav Ganguly's residence.
