The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has appointed Rajeev Shukla as the new Vice-President of the BCCI at its 89th Annual General Meeting on Thursday (December 24) at Ahmedabad.
Shukla, a former Rajya Sabha MP and former chairman of the Indian Premier League (IPL) was elected unopposed after all the board members unanimously decided to select the latter for the top role in the recommendations by DDCA president Rohan Jaitley and Uttarakhand's Mahim Verma.
He has replaced Verma who had vacated the post of BCCI vice-president earlier this year.
Following his appointment, Shukla has assured that he as the vice-president will always work to improve Indian cricket and keeping the best interest of cricket in his mind.
The newly-elected BCCI vice president told ANI: “It's a great day for Indian cricket, we have taken many decisions in today's AGM by which cricket of our country will certainly be growing.”
He further added, “This year COVID-19 impacted one and all but we managed to hold IPL this year, and my focus as the vice-president will always be to improve Indian cricket. Next year, we will also hold the T20 World Cup so we will work hard on each and every aspect of cricket.”
A board member also revealed that the BCCI secretary and treasurer will speak to the government regarding tax exemption for the two showpiece events to be held in India – the ICC T20 World Cup next year and the 50-over Cricket World Cup in 2023.
The member told ANI: “We are set to host the 2021 T20 World Cup as well as the 50-over World Cup in 2023. We need to speak to the government to see if we can get tax exemption and for this, we have decided that our secretary Jay Shah and treasurer Arun Dhumal will speak to the government. If the government doesn't agree, we will then decide on how to go about it. We also have the 2016 World T20 matter pending, so that will also have to be worked out.”
On the inclusion of Cricket in the Olympics – Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028, the member said the BCCI is open to the idea, but they will take a call on the same only after discussing with the Indian Olympic Association on how the revenue will be shared and other commercial factors.
He further added, “Primarily it sounds a very good idea and the board is open to further discussions before a call is taken on the same. Will have to sit down with the IOA and take it forward from there as there are certain modalities that need to be discussed.”
The BCCI member also revealed that the board has decided to give the remuneration package to the domestic players for the season. He concluded, “Yes, domestic players will be compensated and the remuneration package will be worked out looking at who gets what. But there is no doubt that players will not suffer due to the effect the pandemic has had and that is confirmed.”
(With ANI Inputs)
