HC notice on BCCI privileges

The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court on Thursday issued notice to the government’s sports department as well as the BCCI to explain why the cricket board is being given the privileges without being recognised as a National Sports Federation (NSF). The high court has also asked about the public money being spent on cricket, hockey and other games.

The notices were issued on a PIL filed by Amitabh Thakur, an IPS officer from UP, and his social activist wife Nutan Thakur. The next date of hearing is May 17. The petitioners have said that the department of sports has given recognition to various NSFs. The department gives recognition to one NSF in every sport. For the year 2011, it granted recognition to 43 NSFs. BCCI is not one of the recognised NSF.

Despite that, the BCCI is using the privileges of an NSF. It sends nominations for the Dronacharya and Arjuna awards. As per the rules, only NSFs can send such nominations.