With the BCCI elections held and an apex council officially formed, the Committee of Administrators (COA) sent its final report to the Supreme Court of India where it quite interestingly recommended amendments in the controversial conflict of interest clause in the board's newly adopted constitution.
Many big names in Indian cricket have been sent notices in recent times following complaints of potential conflict of interest against them for holding multiple roles in the system.
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The COA in its 11th and final reported sought changes on Monday (October 14) to Rule 38 in the BCCI constitution.
Former players with less than two-year contracts with the BCCI or state associations will be allowed to have multiple roles if the amendment is accepted. They will be allowed to join multiple committees like the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) and won't be barred from commentary stints.
"The COA, during its tenure, came across various instances where the rules pertaining to conflict of interest have been applied to positions and scenarios which in its view did not warrant such application," COA wrote in its report. The three-member panel will sieze to exist post-October 23 when former India skipper Sourav Ganguly takes over as BCCI president along with the rest of the board officials.
"Rule 38 (4) in absolute terms is worded in absolute terms and prohibits even former and current players who do not have long term contracts with the BCCI to hold other positions not only in the BCCI but within the entire cricketing ecosystem."
"A straightjacketed application of this rule will result in BCCI and Indian cricket losing valuable experience and expertise in the form of stalwarts and icons of cricket who are already engaged elsewhere not being able to engage with the BCCI and its members in cricketing roles."
Further addressing the issue, COA has proposed that a former player can perform multiple roles if he or she doesn't have a long-term BCCI contract.
"Notwithstanding anything contained in this Rule 38, an individual who is a former player and is not engaged by BCCI or its member on a full-time basis under a contraction for a duration of two years or more, may become or continue as a member of a Cricket Committee or Cricket Advisory Committe or a standing committee or a team official, match official, commentator or member of any other BCCI committee (except the Apex Counil and Governing Council) in addition to holding any cricketing position within the BCCI, provided he makes the required disclosure under Rule 38," the panel concluded.
(Inputs from PTI)
