Friday is a big day for BCCI. And it’s retractors.
Commanded by the Supreme Court to “fall in line” with the recommendations of the Lodha Committee, the board has convened a Special General Meeting tomorrow and are expected to decide on which of the suggestions to implement.
The board has a March 3 deadline from the Apex Court to send their final reply.
The entire report was first sent to the state associations by the BCCI and, as expected, most rejected all the recommendations of the Supreme Court appointed committee.
However, if the board does decide to accept the changes, it would lead to some drastic changes in the sports’ administration. It could well mean the end of the road for Maratha strongman Sharad Pawar. Current president Shashank Manohar may lose his voting rights. The changes could also affect a lot of state association bosses, who have been in power since time immemorial.
If you have any difficulty in implementing it(the suggestions) we will have the Lodha Committee implement it for you.Justice Thakur to the BCCI counsel on Feb 4
Here’s a deeper look at a few of the suggested reforms and their repercussions if implemented.
Recommendation 1
No person can be an office-bearer in BCCI or state association after attaining the age of 70 years.
Possible effect: It can virtually end the ambitions of Mumbai Cricket Association President Sharad Pawar (75+), TNCA top boss N Srinivasan (71+), of returning to the helm of the board. Some like Saurashtra supremo Niranjan Shah (71+), Punjab top bosses MP Pandove and IS Bindra may find it difficult to continue in their respective state associations.
Recommendation 2
One State Association gets only one vote in the BCCI. All others will be relegated to ‘associate member’ status.
Possible Effect: This means if there is a situation of an election during the BCCI AGM, president Shashank Manohar cannot vote as only Maharashtra will be a recognised voter. Vidarbha and Mumbai will be relegated as associate members.
Also states like Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Telangana will be given voting rights as independent states. National Cricket Club (NCC), a body with no cricketing activity loses voting power.
Recommendation 3
Three terms of three years for office-bearers with a cooling off period after each term.
Possible Effect: Current secretary Anurag Thakur after completion of his current tenure cannot immediately contest for BCCI President’s post.
Recommendation 4
Two terms of three years for a BCCI President. In addition to this, he cannot contest for any other post once he is elected president.
Possible Effect: Shashank Manohar, after this term, will complete six years and henceforth his innings in BCCI will end.
Recommendation 5
A person cannot simultaneously be an office-bearer of the BCCI and also a state association.
Possible Effect: BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur (president of Himachal Pradesh CA); BCCI Jt secretary Amitabh Chaudhary (President, Jharkhand State CA); BCCI treasurer Aniruddh Chaudhary (secretary Haryana CA) will have to relinquish at least one of the two posts, may be the state association post.
Recommendation 6
The Selection committee will comprise 3 members who will have to be former Test cricketers.
Possible Effect: Central Zone National selector Gagan Khoda will get the boot as he has played only two ODIs and no Test matches. Also one among Vikram Rathore, Saba Karim, MSK Prasad will have to make way in order to make it a three-member panel. Sandeep Patil (with 25 Tests) is expected to complete his term.
Recommendation 7
Legalise betting
Possible Effect: Entry of British betting companies like Ladbrokes, a company through which people in UK and other parts of the world regularly place bets on EPL matches, Ashes, Fifa World Cup.
The BCCI may challenge the Lodha Committee’s Recommendations: BCCI in a Fix! Mulls Challenging Lodha Committee’s Recommendations
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