CHENNAI: The Supreme Court will hear a plea to implement all recommendations of structural reform in BCCI made by the Justice Lodha panel. A date is yet to be finalised. Before that, members are saying most of these can’t be put in practice. Not just that. Some board units are suggesting the BCCI should make a list of objectionable points on the basis of feedback it gets from affiliates, explain why they are not acceptable and convey that to the court.
On January 7, the BCCI through a circular asked all units to hold by January 31 a meeting of their managing committees to discuss ramifications of the recommendations. Till Wednesday, not all units had conducted this meeting. Some had written to the BCCI seeking time. “Many recommendations with far reaching consequences are not practical. Some of them are against the principles of a democratic process. The BCCI should listen to all the units, put together their views and write to the Supreme Court in clear terms why such suggestions can’t be implemented. Every argument should be backed by reasons,” said a senior South Zone member.
The two-volume report consisting of 297 pages has explosive recommendations like one state one vote and age limit of 70 for administrators. Not binding unless the Supreme Court steps in, they can change the way the BCCI functions.
A North Zone member told Express the BCCI top brass shouldn’t look to impress the judiciary or let their decisions be influenced by thoughts of what the court might think.
“Shashank Manohar (BCCI president) should take it easy and seek time if required, because the decisions involve the BCCI’s future. He shouldn’t do anything for the sake of perception and accept some of the suggestions only because the Lodha panel has tabled them. Several recommendations show little understanding of the dynamics and economics of contemporary sports administration,” he said.
Explaining why he thinks so, he said not all recommendations have been based on consultation with appropriate authorities. “In the second volume, there are points on policy. It mentions that it was prepared with inputs from a Bengaluru based firm with no experience in cricket. The BCCI should say it’s not bound to listen to anything coming from anybody.”
Although only Mumbai Cricket Association has officially spoken about misgivings, affiliated units from all zones have said they are not okay. Tamil Nadu Cricket Association has written to BCCI saying it will hold another executive meeting before communicating its views.