BCCI guarded ahead of meeting with Lodha panel
The Indian cricket board discussed whether it should file a review petition in the Supreme Court to seek relief from some of the provisions in the Justice RM Lodha panel report
The Indian cricket board discussed on Friday whether it should file a review petition in the Supreme Court to seek relief from some of the provisions in the Justice RM Lodha Committee report, an official said.
“That was something that came up in the special general meeting (SGM),” he said after attending the meeting. However, there was no formal word from the BCCI after members authorised president Anurag Thakur and secretary Ajay Shirke to take necessary steps.
It is a crisis-like situation within the BCCI as the two senior office-bearers have to meet the Lodha panel on Tuesday. The Board is looking for ways to somehow get certain directives relaxed. Members are particularly worried that the recommendations limiting office-bearers to three three-year terms with a year’s cooling off between each term and barring officials from dual posts will fundamentally alter the Board’s administration.
A senior official said Friday’s meeting didn’t last long and the idea was not to let out much on what options the BCCI has going forward to soften the blow of the sweeping reforms.
“At least they should have kept state associations out of these changes,” said a veteran administrator. “They are the people who do the real work when it comes to organising matches. Many of those officials spend many years to gain experience and establish themselves.
“Removing them can unsettle the whole structure of the Board’s administration.”
The Supreme Court in its July 18 order asked the Lodha panel to implement the changes in six months and directed the BCCI to assist it. The official said, for the time being, the only option before the office-bearers, at least at the state level, was to sit tight and try to buy time, and see how things pan out.
The BCCI marketing committee also met on Friday. The focus was on the two Twenty20 internationals India and West Indies are scheduled to play on August 27 and 28 at Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
There is lot of interest over the sales of media rights for this first foray by the BCCI into the US. The last day for expression of interest for media rights was Thursday. Ticketing will be the other important area for these games.