Shimla, June 12 (IANS) The Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA), headed by BJP MP Anurag Thakur, on Friday submitted a memorandum to Governor Kalyan Singh, opposing the Himachal Pradesh Sports (Registration, Recognition and Regulation of Associations) Bill, 2015, which was passed by the state assembly on April 9.

The HPCA delegation met the governor here and said the bill was against the autonomy of the sports associations and, if enacted, it would severely hamper their functioning.

“The sports associations, which are working under the ambit of Olympic charter, face a threat to their existence with this bill,” said the memorandum.

The HPCA delegation doubted the intentions of the government in bringing this bill and said that since the Congress took over reign in the state there had been an attempt to take control of the HPCA.

“Though it is claimed that the bill is aimed to extend support to the sports associations and bring transparency in their functioning, the present government’s foremost agenda has been to dislodge the HPCA,” it added.

The assembly passed a bill amid heated arguments between treasury and opposition benches that brought 42 sports bodies, including the state cricket association, under the government control.

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh had said at present there is no regulation to monitor sports associations in the state.

“The legislation covers all aspects, which are necessary for regulation of sports associations, to enable them to function in a democratic manner, remain accountable with regard to promotion of all games and sports and prosper in a free and fair environment and to uphold the cause of sportsperson,” he had said in the assembly.