Order may affect players’ payments

Domestic cricketers could see their payments delayed if state units fail to implement reforms

The Supreme Court has tried to tighten the noose around the state cricket associations’ neck by stopping the Board of Control for Cricket in India from making any financial transactions. But it seems the Board’s member units have stored enough funds to survive this season.

In the order passed on Friday, there is a freeze on funds even for the match purposes, till the BCCI members resolve to abide by the Justice R M Lodha panel recommendations on reforms.

It raised fears of the ongoing matches getting affected — the domestic season is in full swing with Ranji matches and the junior games. However, most officials HT spoke to assured there was no immediate threat to any tournament.

Earlier, when the Apex Courtappointed Lodha panel had directed banks, where BCCI holds accounts, not to disburse ‘large’ funds to the state associations, the Indian cricket board had threatened to cancel the series against New Zealand.

The BCCI’s argument was that state associations were depended on the parent body for organising matches and they were unable to carry on their functioning in the wake of the latest directive from the Lodha panel.

CONCERNED

The domestic cricketers do have a cause for concern though. Their payments may get delayed. The respective state associations make the initial payments but their final settlement is done by the BCCI at the end of the season.

“We used to pay an initial payment of `40,000 (match fee) to each player, the remaining amount of around Rs 1 lakh is made by the BCCI. Now, we may not be able to make the initial payment (also reimbursed by the BCCI). All their payment is made by the BCCI and they may have to wait for the payments,” said a state unit member.

It’s learnt that the BCCI has already distributed the funds for the year due to the associations. Hence state units cannot claim being short on resources. The Supreme Court has also put an auditor in place to check the state units’ finances. “Isn’t it a refined way putting an administrator? The auditor will monitor if there are enough funds,” said a BCCI expert.

BCCI UNMOVED

Yet, there seems to be no change in BCCI’s stance. Except for Vidarbha and Tripura, the rest of the state units are united behind the Board of conditionally agreeing to the Lodha recommended reforms. “Cricket will not be affected. We will wait for the BCCI to decide and act accordingly,” said an official of a Central Zone unit.

The expert, however, pointed out the associations which are in the process of infrastructure development that will face the heat. Gujarat, Punjab, Baroda have plans of building new stadiums.

“We don’t have to make any payment at the moment. We are yet to give the contract (for building the stadium,” said Gujarat Cricket Association official Rajesh Patel.

Jharkhand Cricket Association, though, has a bit of challenge on hand. They are organising a one-dayer and a Test match, and are also renovating their infrastructure.

“We have the funds to host the ODI but for the Test match (India vs Australia, March 16-20), will may have to ask for funds,” said secretary Rajesh Verma. “There is also some renovation work which will need funds from BCCI,” Verma added.