Hoping for better sports atmosphere allowing young talent to realise dreams

Every cricket lover and law-abiding citizen was closely following the developments of the BCCI case. He was fervently hoping that the Hon Supreme Court would go the full hog in disciplining a very stubborn BCCI, who did its best in getting the earlier decision overturned by the new bench.

True to expectations, the SC appointed a committee of four administrators headed by former Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) Vinod Rai to manage the affairs of the world's richest cricket body BCCI after its president and other top office-bearers were shunted out from cricket administration. The bench also turned down the plea of the centre that contended that secretary of ministry of sports be also nominated as an administrator.

For last three years, BCCI has been trying to create confusion amongst the cricket lovers. Saying one thing, and meaning quite the opposite, and vice-versa are endemic in BCCI. Despite the judgement pronounced on July 18 last year, the board being past masters in double speak has not accepted defeat. The ASG (Additional Solicitor General) had failed to convince the court last year and now the country's Attorney General decided to jump into the fray.

He also argued that Delhi & District Cricket Association (already charged with grave misconduct, malfeasance and financial fraud) was a company under Section 25 of the Companies Act and that remedy against it was enforceable only under the Companies Act. What the AG conveniently forgot to mention was that the former president under whose watch all the loot and plunder took place is currently a member of the ruling party at the centre.

Another senior counsel and a former UPA minister was never sure about who he was representing. One day, he would represent BCCI, another day he would represent Baroda Cricket Association, yet some other day he would speak on behalf of another cricket association. In the end, he only kept speaking for the BCCI and for it to be given back power of yore. The ousted BCCI president wanted ICC to help it by objecting to a part of the judgement, whereas the disgraced former secretary made all out efforts to puncture England's programme by requesting the ECB chairman to call off the tour.

Four years back, I had asked a question in Lok Sabha about the various frauds happening in BCCI and DDCA. Four years on, despite my repeated letters and reminders, no law is in the offing. Even the committee that has been formed by the sports ministry following writ petition of 25 Olympians and internationals players (including myself), is not likely to lead anywhere. For one, it is not tasked with discussing Lodha guidelines. Secondly, the committee contains some names which have been ranged in the past, against the current Lodha recommendations regarding age and tenure guidelines.

The struggle of former players under Bishan Singh Bedi has now started to yield results. While some of us continue to face several defamation cases instituted by vested interests, we always had full confidence in the top court in ensuring transparency and fairness in the running of sports in India.

Let us all hope for a better sports atmosphere which allows any talented youngster to realise his/her dreams without having to compromise on integrity and self respect.

Kirti Azad is former India player. Views expressed by the writer are his own