SCA urges BCCI to release funds for payment to players

It is needless to say that India is a country that loves cricket and there is no shortage of young and talented cricketers. But it looks like there might be a crisis in the current system that can affect the future of Indian cricket which is, Supreme Court stopping the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to release funds to its state bodies till they implement the Lodha reforms. Saurshtra Cricket Association (SCA) has asked BCCI to release funds in order to pay match fees to its players for the domestic season.

It is reported that there is a letter written to BCCI CEO Rahul Johri which is copied to the members of SC- Appointed Committee of Administrators (COA) & BCCI top brass where SCA Joint Secretary Madhukar Worah quotes

“This is with reference to pending and much overdue reimbursements of funds from BCCI to our association. Payments to all the players who’ve played in matches of domestic tournaments of the BCCI haven’t been paid so far. We see no reason for BCCI not sending funds to make necessary payments to all the men and women players who’ve represented their respective associations in domestic tournaments, including the most important and prestigious Ranji Trophy. The fees of these players is paid by the BCCI. We believe that the SC hasn’t given any such guidelines of not paying or delaying due payments to all these domestic players. We request you to take up this matter urgently.”

There are claims stating that, apart from the SCA there are other associations which face similar issues. A few associations claim that they have paid match fees from their own pockets and are waiting for reimbursement from BCCI.

Concerns about the board paying staging fees for the five IPL games that are being staged at the SCA stadium between April  7th – 29th have been addressed in the letter. Hence, SCA has also asked BCCI to ensure timely payment of Rs 1.5 Crore as staging fees. As a response to this, BCCI officials said

“If they want money for their players or for staging IPL games, the SCA and other associations must first show a willingness, and give an undertaking that they’ll implement the Lodha reforms, which is something they haven’t done so far. The COA can’t defy the SC order and release funds to these associations till they implement the reforms,”

Under these circumstances where there are irregularities in the payment of match fees, it might become difficult for aspiring cricketers to continue to represent state bodies and might hit India’s  talent pool.