The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Tremendous scope to improve the election process of BCCI: Pawar

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Thursday, Dec 01, 2005

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Tremendous scope to improve the election process of BCCI: Pawar

G. Viswanath

Kolkata: The newly elected President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Sharad Pawar, is all set to recommend to his committee that the BCCI should bear 25 per cent of the cost of a stadium project, instead of Rs. 4 crore it is now disbursing as subvention for infrastructure development. He also said in the course of an interview on Wednesday, the BCCI should establish a full-fledged office in Mumbai which is its headquarters.

Excerpts:

Q: Most sports associations in India and abroad have a two-year or four-year term of office. Do you think the time has come for the BCCI to look into this aspect?

A: I have already said there's tremendous scope to improve the constitution that includes the election process and total tenure for a newly elected body. Having elections every year doesn't give stability to any organisation. First, it takes two months for the new body to settle in and thereafter another two to three months for preparation, which leaves one with hardly seven or eight months to carry out policies. Second, there is no approved procedure for elections, whereas modern systems are the accepted practice throughout the world. The same is practised in our democracy. After last year's AGM I had discussions with Mr. Jagmohan Dalmiya. He agreed that we should take some corrective measures. I will now take into confidence all sides of the BCCI and will try to bring some unanimity here.

Q: Are you also going to bring in the Mumbai pattern where you formed the Cricket Improvements Committee and delegated powers to it for all cricket matters?

A: I am going to make this suggestion to my committee. Any decision relating to cricket has to be taken by, essentially, those who are associated with the game and know the game very well. I will be happy if my committee accepts to set up a committee with eminent cricketers of the country. The management of the game and cricket activities have to be kept altogether different. The internal problems of the BCCI should not reflect and affect the future of Indian cricket.

Q: You have talked about infrastructure development?

A: The country needs excellent facilities for cricket. The Hyderabad association has a project in hand. The BCCI now provides Rs. 4 crores for infrastructure. It's no small money and is useful at times. But I suppose for a stadium with a capacity of 40,000, one needs between Rs. 30 crores to 40. I would like the BCCI to bear 25 per cent of the cost of the stadium. We have a lot of money. We are not supposed to keep money in the bank only to earn interest, we are also supposed to spend some money for infrastructure and substantial money on the game.

Q: Only around 10 States have their own property, the rest depend on Municipal Corporation grounds and hence are not ready to invest money on them. Would you encourage all the State units to own their own ground and develop it?

A: That's our desire. For instance I have told the Maharashtra Cricket Association that they should have their own stadium. So I think I should use my political clout with various State Governments and see that our State units get more support, especially to set up infrastructure.

Q: Do you think there's further scope to improve resources for the BCCI, apart from money from TV rights, Team Sponsorship and title sponsorship?

A: My approach is not to earn money and let me say we are not here only to earn money. Yes, money is important, but our approach will be to find ways to improve and strengthen cricket and to provide maximum facility to the players and to the public who like to watch cricket.

Q: You have been attending BCCI meetings for four years. What's your evaluation of Mr. Jagmohan Dalmiya?

A: There's no doubt that he has contributed to the game for many years in India and the world. He's the person who has been widely accepted and especially his commercial approach has benefited cricket. These are the good things he has done. It's our responsibility to take his advice.

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