BCCI stands firm, rejects revised Sports Bill

The BCCI on Saturday rejected the revised draft of the National Sports Development Bill that seeks to regulate the functioning of the Cricket Board, saying certain aspects of the bill are meant to "destroy the autonomy" of the board.

"While the BCCI is all for good governance and transparency in sports bodies, certain aspects of the Bill seek to destroy the autonomy of the Board and dilute the rights of its members," BCCI secretary Sanjay Jagdale said in a statement after the Board's Working Committee meeting.

"Therefore the Board is totally opposed to this Bill and will be communicating its objections to the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports shortly.

"It has to be borne in mind that "Sports" is a State subject and the legislative competence of Central Government is limited. The bill tends to encroach upon fundamental rights of Sports bodies," he said.

Relations between the BCCI and sports ministry have been strained over the contentious issue.

BCCI, which is an autonomous body, and some other sports organisations such as Indian Olympic Association (IOA) have opposed the legislation. The IOA had in fact termed the revised bill a "cruel joke".

The bill was revised after the cabinet did not give its approval.

The proposed bill wants to give BCCI the status of a National Sports Federation and therefore bring it under the purview of the RTI Act.

At the Working Committee meeting, the BCCI appointed Evan Speechly as the physiotherapist of the Indian team for a period of two years. He will join the team for the 3rd Test between India and West Indies.

The board also categorised IPL as list "A" match, while instituting an award for the best all-rounder in the Ranji Trophy and the best all-rounder in domestic limited-overs tournaments, in the name of Late Lala Amarnath from this season, to commemorate the birth centenary of the former India captain.

The award will comprise a trophy and a cash prize of Rs. 2.5 lakh, in each category.

The working committee approved in principle the proposal that a certain portion of the gate income of the IPL play-offs will be awarded as benefit for retired cricketers. A committee has been appointed to work out the modalities.