CHENNAI: Just a year after pronouncing the all-important verdict on Lodha panel recommendations, Justice (retd) FMI Kalifullah might become the BCCI’s ombudsman. The former Supreme Court judge, as part of the two-member bench alongside former Chief Justice of India TS Thakur, had passed an order on July 18, 2016, making it mandatory for the BCCI to accept all Lodha recommendations.
As the Committee of Administrators (CoA) has initiated the process of shortlisting candidates for the BCCI ombudsman’s post lying vacant, it is Kalifullah whose name is among the six doing the rounds. The other five who have been shortlisted are Justice GS Singhvi, Justice VS Sirpurkar, Justice CK Thakker, Justice DK Jain and Justice Aflab Alam (all retired). The CoA is set to discuss these names with the BCCI office-bearers during their meeting to be held on Saturday.
The CoA has asked all of them to be present, although treasurer Anirudh Chaudhary has sought permission to give it a miss due to prior commitments.
However, Kalifullah’s name is not being welcomed by those in the BCCI. The Supreme Court during the previous hearing on July 14 had asked the CoA to prepare a list of the candidates in consultation with the BCCI. Although the call on the matter will be taken by the apex court, some of the board officials don’t seem to be happy with Kalifullah. They believe that having him as part of the set-up will make things harder for the BCCI, as having been part of the bench that passed the historic order, he is sure bound to ask plenty of questions if appointed.
Meanwhile, the Operating Process Manual for the BCCI, prepared by Deloitte as part of the Project Transformation phase I and II, has been enclosed by the CoA to the members and a presentation on it is expected during the special general meeting on July 26. Deloitte has also prepared a Handbook for BCCI to put in a professional management structure. It deals with the various organisational reforms that are in line with the Lodha recommendations.
It is also understood that a revised pay structure for players and the support staff presented to the CoA by former coach Anil Kumble will be discussed.
Also on agenda of the meeting is cricket’s participation in the Olympics. The International Cricket Council has sought opinions of the full members on cricket making it to the Olympics and it is learnt that the CoA will ask the BCCI to ponder this. However, the BCCI doesn’t seem to entertain this idea, as being part of the Olympics would mean they have to accept certain rules and regulations be part of WADA, which the board and players are against.
The meeting will also discuss the support staff for the Indian team and also the possible inclusion of Rahul Dravid and Zaheer Khan as batting and bowling consultants, respectively.
venkatakrishna@newindianexpress.com