Lalit Modi’s Son Ruchir: Dad Never Wanted Me to Enter This Field
Ruchir Modi (22) is contesting for the post of president of the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA).
advertisement
The Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) is set to choose a new set of administrators. Lalit Modi’s son Ruchir Modi, 22, is contesting against senior Congress leader CP Joshi for the post of president.
In March 2016, Ruchir was appointed the director of Godrey Phillips India Ltd (GPI), holding company Modi Enterprises, Modicare and restaurant business Peyotito after he graduated from London's Regents University. Later that year, he became the president of the Alwar Cricket Association.
Ahead of the elections on 29 May, The Quint spoke to Ruchir Modi on his vision for RCA and Indian cricket.
Q. Why have you decided to run for the RCA post? Is it because your father held the post? Did your father give any tips to you?
The challenges that RCA is facing right now are of a completely different level [from what Lalit Modi faced]. It’s high time that someone takes this responsibility and leads RCA from the front. And I believe that with my team’s dedication and effective planning, we can achieve the goal of steering RCA towards a better tomorrow. And if in any case, I would be needing guidance from my father, I will surely go for it.
Q. You’re just 22. What past experience do you think will help you run a state cricket body, if elected?
I am young and I have learnt that challenges are unstoppable. But, despite these, the one who still goes on with dedication and diligence becomes the one who can fight and win any of the battles. The experience which I gained from watching my father’s relentless efforts; also, being the president of Alwar District Cricket Association, I know how to overcome the sporadic challenges we encounter every now and then, especially when it comes to managing things efficiently and effectively.
Q. Do you have a background in cricket or in sports?
No, I don’t. But what I believe is having in-depth experience and understanding of managing things are enough to lead a sports association towards success.
Q. What is the one big change you want to bring in Indian cricket?
It’s not a single change, but I want to bring an array of changes that entail better infrastructure for the talented players, transparency in the system and provide massive opportunities to leverage the cricketing talent in India.
Q. Do you think your father’s history will in any way be a deterrent to your plans of becoming a cricket administrator?
My father’s contribution to world cricket is monumental. The glorious tradition of sincerity, hard work, dedication and above all the great passion for realising the vision with which he created IPL has an overbearing influence on me. Rightly so, I will try to carry forward this tradition.
Q. You are based out of London, do you plan to move to India to take your aspirations as a cricket administrator further?
About my living out of London, I have business interests in the country which brings me to India quite often. I think an issue shouldn’t be made about my availability in my motherland. And I am an Indian at the end of the day, so what’s the harm?
Q. Did you always want to follow in your father’s footsteps into the cricket administration?
My father never wanted me to enter this field. However, being entangled with cricket most of the times in my growing years developed my interest here. All the hard work and efforts that I witnessed in my childhood days boosted my confidence to do something in cricket. It came as an impulse and resided in me as a passion.