Navneet Sehgal. (File photo)
A new chapter has started in the field of cricket in Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh. Former IAS officer and chairman of Prasar Bharati, Dr. Navneet Kumar Sehgal has been elected to the post of President of Cricket Association of Lucknow (CAL). Navneet Sehgal won the post with a strong claim in the election held in the CAL’s general meeting held in the auditorium of Babu Banarasi Das Institute on 26 July 2025.
Navneet Sehgal, who became the new president of Lucknow Cricket Association, said that this is the beginning of a new innings. He said that my goal is to promote the sports talents of Lucknow and bring them to the national and international stage.
Navneet Sehgal is an experienced administrator
Born in Faridkot, Punjab in 1963, Navneet Sehgal has been an experienced and famous administrator. He completed his early education in Haryana, where his father used to work. After passing 10th from Ambala and intermediate from Bhiwani, Sehgal earned a BCom degree at the age of 19. He then completed the course of Chartered Accountancy (CA) and Company Secretary. Along with CA studies in 1986, he started preparations for civil services and selected in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) in 1988.
Famous as a skilled administrator
Navneet Sehgal took over important responsibilities under various governments of Uttar Pradesh- BSP, SP, and BJP in his 35-year administrative career. In 2002, he was the District Magistrate (DM) of Lucknow and was part of the core team of Chief Ministers like Mayawati, Akhilesh Yadav, and Yogi Adityanath. His contribution to completion the Lucknow-Agra Expressway in a record time and preparing the plan of Kashi Vishwanath Corridor gave him fame as a skilled administrator.
Did not get a chance of unopposed election
After retiring from the post of Additional Chief Secretary of Sports and Youth Welfare Department in 2023, Navneet Sehgal was appointed as the chairman of Prasar Bharati on 15 March 2024, where he will serve for three years. In the election held on 26 July 2025 of the Cricket Association of Lucknow, Navneet Sehgal was considered the strongest contender for the post of president. This time the thrill in the election increased when other candidates did not withdraw the nomination against him, due to which Navneet Sehgal did not get an opportunity for the first time.
Election concluded with transparent process
A total of 49 candidates had claimed their claim for various posts, and a 23 -member executive was formed on the basis of 156 votes. Navneet Sehgal achieved this position on the strength of his administrative skills and enthusiasm for cricket. Before the election, there were loud preparations and meetings between the cricket stadiums of Lucknow and former officials. Some candidates had feared a disturbance in the situation of not being held through ballot, but the election was concluded with a transparent process.
Will take cricket to new heights
Former IAS Prasar Bharati chairman Navneet Sehgal said that he will take cricket to new heights in Lucknow. After being elected president, Navneet Sehgal clarified his priorities. He said that my goal is to promote the sports talents of Lucknow and bring them to the national and international stage. He also announced that the Cricket Association will soon organize the Lucknow Premier League, which will give local players an opportunity to show their talent.
Cricket Association will get new direction
This initiative will not only strengthen the infrastructure of cricket in Lucknow, but will also encourage young players. Sehgal expressed his commitment to cricket and said that cricket has a rich history in Lucknow. We will further enrich it, so that the city should make its mark not only in the administrative, but also in the field of sports.
By 2022, Yogi was working as Additional Chief Secretary of Sports and Youth Welfare Department in the government. His appointment has been taken positively by the Cricket community of Lucknow, as their administrative ability and experience can provide a new direction to the Cricket Association.
