Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Shillong: Rayonald Kharkamni holds a new title. The Meghalaya Cricket Association honorary secretary, currently suspended over claims he ignored sexual harassment of under-23 female players, will serve as the North East Zone convener for the 2026-27 BCCI Senior Women T20 Inter Zonal Tournament. Member states of the zone tapped him for the job. His suspension by MCA President James PK Sangma stays in effect and remains under review by the Meghalaya High Court.
Kharkamni and four others challenged the suspension. A September 7, 2026 meeting aimed at reversing the penalty is also tied up in court. This marks his second official role since his suspension, following his participation in meetings to pick players for the Duleep Trophy. Despite the ongoing legal standoff, the BCCI has kept its distance. Kharkamni recently sat with BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia at a dinner, even though Saikia previously admitted he knew about the MCA harassment scandal.
The Meghalaya State Commission for Women found Kharkamni and three other officials, Naba Bhattacharjee, Dhrubajyoti Thakuria, and Shining Star Lyngdoh, knew the team coach and manager harassed players. The MCA hit the coach and manager with lifetime bans after the December 2025 incident in Agartala, Tripura. Reports indicate players faced threats from Kharkamni and Shillong Cricket Association president Peter Macdonald Kharsawian to force favorable statements. Kharkamni contested the ombudsman process, telling India Today NE: "I acknowledged that the complaint should have been taken seriously, but said no inquiry committee could be convened during the transition."
Kharkamni will lead a selection meeting in Guwahati during the first week of November. He plans to pick a 15-member squad. The region includes Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Sikkim. States must submit recommendations for selectors by October 30. IPL Governing Council member Mamon Majumdar will likely attend. Kharkamni also holds the power to appoint the head coach, assistant coach, physiotherapist, trainer, performance analyst, masseuse, and manager for the team, which will play in Assam.
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