BCCI officials, past and present, feel that it’s time the eight-decade organisation that has achieved financial stability, embraces best practices and carries out structural reforms to be seen by its stakeholders and millions of followers as a respectful and admired sports body.
They appreciate Justice Mukul Mudgal’s observation that the BCCI is one among the best run sports organisation in the country, but as an official said: “Structural reforms are a must. The Lodha Committee has interviewed the president and secretary on a number of associations. “I was interviewed for one hour. They asked me about DDCA. They have come to know of the happenings in that association through media reports. I am sure the comm. ittee will recommend election and structural reforms.
“The BCCI has dispersed over Rs. 1,000 crore to member units in the last two years, but there’s no system in place to monitor how the money is used. I was asked this particular question by Justice Lodha.’’
Since the time the BCCI worked out a five-year agreement for the broadcast of international matches for Rs. 230 crore with Prasar Bharati in 1999, the subvention money to 25 member units increased from a few lakhs to crores. With the new broadcast agreement with STAR Sports and the IPL guaranteeing an additional sum of a minimum of Rs. 8 crore, most member units receive an annual subvention close to Rs. 25 crore. “The BCCI must appoint a special committee that will visit all the States to see if money has been spent on facilities like club house, pitches and equipments.
“The member units should present a blue print for development and only when the special committee is convinced of the development having taken place should the subvention money be released. It does not matter who represents an association at working committee and other meetings,’’ said a former India fast bowler.
Not a single BCCI official was ready to go on record. But the majority of them are keen to know the election and structural forms the Justice Lodha committee is going to recommend. “They will have a lot of information once they dig out details of bylaws of the state associations, the background of voting members. There are certain individuals who have attended BCCI meetings for three decades. There was a president of an association who asked for the subvention money cheque to be drawn in his favour, not the association,’’ said an official.
