Government to bring BCCI under its control?

The government is set to bring BCCI under its ambit and control courtesy a bill that would make it mandatory for the richest sport body in India more accountable.

Zeenews Sports Bureau

New Delhi: The government is set to bring BCCI under its ambit and control courtesy a bill that would make it mandatory for the richest sport body in India accountable which it has otherwise avoided till date citing its autonomous nature. This will bring the board under the provisions of RTI to provide the information related to its revenue and expenditure. "We need reforms in sports, which we hope the National Sports Bill will bring. Our idea was to introduce the Bill in the monsoon session and we have already done that. Now the inter-ministerial consultation is going on and once it is over, it will go to the Parliament for resolution," sports minister Ajay Maken said on Monday. The sports bill to be discussed by the cabinet on Tuesday would introduce a regulatory regime on all national sports federations and BCCI will have to adhere to the norms and regulations of the bill. Also, if the bill is approved, it will make it mandatory for the cricketers to undergo random doping tests as it makes National Anti Doping Agency the sole body for all anti-doping measures. This has so far being opposed by the Indian cricket team and the board. The bill calls for reserving 25% of the seats in the sports bodies for former sportsperson making way for former cricketers to have enhanced role and say in the affairs of the board as opposed to the present state of affairs controlled by the politicians. The provisions of the bill like age limit and tenure have drawn strong opposition from the sports federations including the Indian Olympic Association.