The BCCI is one of the most efficient sports bodies in the country but there would be a question mark over its functioning if it does not come under the Right to Information Act, sports minister Ajay Maken said on Monday.
Stating that the BCCI was being run by “public money”, Maken urged the Board to drop its opposition to the RTI Act for the sake of transparency.
“It’s public money the Board is getting from fans and sports lovers of the country. We don’t want to see their yearly financial accounts…. but any citizen of the country should have the right under the RTI Act to seek details of how the money is being spent,” Maken said.
More athletes for Sports Bill
The National Sports Bill has got a collective thumbs-up from India’s top athletes, who feel the draft has the potential to change the country’s sports scene.
Welcoming provisions like 25 per cent quota for athletes in all National Sports Federations (NSFs), current and former stars such as badminton ace Saina Nehwal, her coach Pullela Gopichand, golfer Jeev Milkha Singh and Olympic bronze-medallist boxer Vijender Singh hoped the document would get the Cabinet’s nod.
“All NSFs should take the Bill in a positive sense. It places sports and sportspersons as a priority,” said Saina.
{{/usCountry}}“All NSFs should take the Bill in a positive sense. It places sports and sportspersons as a priority,” said Saina.
{{/usCountry}}“For far too long we have accepted mediocrity in Indian sports. The Bill will make NSFs proactive and professional,” said Jeev.