Mumbai: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) wants to pass revised National Sports Bill (NSB) in the budget session of the Parliament, to be be held in 2017. It will save them from undergoing structural changes. BCCI is under pressure to implement Lodha committee reforms and have filed a review petition. Markandey Katju, former Supreme Court judge has been advising the BCCI regarding the matter.
A very seasoned BCCI official said that some key changes are made in the bill.
“The age cap of 70 years and the nine-year tenure are likely to be changed. There is likely to be some changes in the cooling off period also. But since BCCI doesn’t take government grants and till now isn’t under RTI ambit, it will also need amendment,” a senior BCCI official told reporters on sidelines of the Duleep Trophy match today.
BCCI knows that review petition as well as curative review petition will be rejected by the apex court. The only hope remaining is the amended sports bill that can save face for the richest cricketing body in the world.
“The National Sports Bill is the only hope. But it seems difficult that it would be placed before the Parliament during its Winter Session as it ends on December 23. So realistically the chances of Sports Bill being tabled is budget session,” the official said.
The procedure would be Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) will send the bill to Cabinet, which will then send it to Parliamentary Standing Committee that can seek amendments before it is finally tabled in Parliament.
Vijay Goel is the Union sports minister and Anurag Thakur, BCCI president is an honourable Member of Parliament and leads the youth wing of the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP).
All BCCI officials will travel to Florida for the two match T20 series against Windies except Ajay Shirke, Secretary. The trip will take care of the expenses for its officials.
From DDCA, it is government nominee Rajan Tiwary who will be in the US. CAB will be represented by Gautam Dasgupta while NCC is sending Biswarup Dey.
BCCI president Anurag Thakur and Indian Premiere League chairman Rajiv Shukla will be present as well.
It will be a welcome change for BCCI as the focus will shift on matches rather than the court case that is occupying the space in media and getting coverage, which should be reserved for cricket.