New regulations leave former players in a bind

MUMBAI: Sourav Ganguly has all the qualities to be a top administrator. The former India captain is equally capable of becoming a good selector or coach. However, he will have to make a clear career choice now.

The BCCI has come up with much-needed rules for conflict of interest, although there are a few clauses which are seen as extreme measures by retired cricketers. Amongst them is the one that says players on the managing committees of BCCI’s affiliated units cannot be appointed as national selector. Ganguly is the president of the Cricket Association of Bengal, but it is an honorary job. The other clause which the players have an issue with is ‘cricketers appointed as coaches of Indian teams or national selectors shall not be associated with any private coaching academies’.

It means, if Ganguly sticks to administration, Indian cricket may lose out on one part of his expertise. Most former cricketers are not convinced about these clauses, and feel it is anti-cricketers. It’s felt it will discourage them from getting into administration, which is already being dominated by political heavyweights.

Former India selector and coach, Madan Lal, said it was a “very complicated rule”. “Not all retired cricketers are multimillionaires and a lot of them get into coaching. Some players may just

MOST EX-CRICKETERS ARE NOT CONVINCED ABOUT THESE CLAUSES, AND FEEL IT IS ANTI-CRICKETERS

love to teach kids. He cannot just select players from his coaching centre. The selection depends on the performance. I don’t see any conflict of interest in someone coaching,” said Madan Lal.

Former India sp inner Man in der Singh said coaching is something that comes naturally to players. “If someone is running a coaching academy, it shows his interest in the game, he is trying to pass on, it is education. I don’t understand how it matters?” said Maninder.

The 1983 World Cup winner, Lal also didn’t agree with the clause that cricketers who are local administrators become ineligible to become a selector. “It’s about accountability; as a selector you are answerable. Administration and selectors’ job are two different things. Where is the conflict of interest?” he asked.

Earlier, the selectors’ job was also honorary but the Board made it a paid job to bring accountability. Senior national selectors draw a remuneration between ` 70 lakh and ` 1crore. While there is no denying that there is a need to cleanse Indian cricket, the challenge for lawmakers will be to find the right balance, to ensure genuine candidates don’t lose out on deserving opportunities.