Pawar fears ICC action over CAG, AG involvement in administration

MUMBAI: Implementing the Lodha Commission’s stringent recommendations is not the only worry for the members of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and its state units.

Convincing the International Cricket Council (ICC) to agree to have a representative of Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) in BCCI and an Accountant General (AG) official in the state units could be a bigger challenge.

The Supreme Court accepted Lodha Commission’s recommendation of nominating a CAG official in the BCCI’S nine-member apex council and an AG in the state units’ council, despite the Indian cricket board’s counsel repeatedly stating during the hearings that it would lead to derecognition from the ICC.

BCCI’S senior-most functionary Sharad Pawar, who has to vacate his seat as the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) president on two counts – 70 years age cap and nine-year term – was worried about ICC’S reaction to the Supreme Court ruling.

“I respect the judiciary. I am only worried about ICC whose constitution clearly says that there should be no government representative in cricket bodies. The CAG and AG are government agencies. But then the BCCI has members of the Railways, Services and the All India Universities. It’s a direct government involvement through the Services. I hope Shashank Manohar (ICC chairman) will not take any objection,” Pawar said during a press conference after a managing committee meeting on Sunday.

ICC rule 2.9 (B) states: “Where a government interferes in the administration of cricket by a member, including but not limited to interference in operational matters, the selection and management of teams, the appointment of coaches or support personnel or the activities of a member, the executive board shall have the power to suspend or refuse to recognise that member, subject to the provisions of Article 2.7.”

Regarding the BCCI’S fear of derecognition from the ICC, the Supreme Court in its order stated: “Far from finding fault with presence of a nominee of the Accountant General and CAG, the ICC would in our opinion appreciate any such step for the same would prevent misgivings about the working of the BCCI.”