There is nothing wrong with new faces given a chance to run the game: Justice Lodha

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officials are contesting in the Supreme Court of India for the three-year cooling off period between every term in office. Though the other fact is they have accepted a cap of nine years in tenure. Punnet Bali, who represented the BCCI officials in the SC, said that continuity is important and that the Lodha Committee’s reforms should be remodelled to ensure that the office bearers get an extended term.

While the BCCI was expected to implement the recommendations proposed by the Lodha panel in a stipulated time, the board has been time and again trying to qualify the suggestions to sneak it in their favour. The court has time and again reprimanded them for the same but given their stature BCCI hasn’t backed off.

The three-year cooling off period 

“The three-year cooling off period could be applicable for the post of BCCI president. But those who are the joint-secretary or treasurer should be given a chance to become secretary,” Bali told TOI, explaining BCCI’s point of view.

The Indian board has one more objection, that is to the Lodha committee’s FAQs, which do not permit an office-bearer who has completed nine years in the state to come into the BCCI only after a three-year cooling off period.
“If no one from the state unit is allowed to continue after completing nine years, then the BCCI will be left without experienced officials to run the cricket affairs,” Bali said.

Mechanism of a certain section

A certain group of people in the BCCI said that these objections are just tactics by Amitabh Choudhury and Anirudh Choudhury to remain in office. Justice (retired) RM Lodha agreed with this view. “You can’t tweak the reforms just to suit a few individuals. These reforms aren’t supposed to be changed. If the board officials want to make their own cooling off rules, it will revert back to the same old system of monopoly,” Lodha told TOI.

The former chief justice of India also said that there is nothing wrong with new faces given a chance to run the game in the country. “As I have said earlier, others should be given an opportunity to come into the BCCI. If the officials are allowed to stay on for nine years on the trot, they will treat the board like their own property,” Lodha stated.