New Delhi:
After three years, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is all set to hold their Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Mumbai. The upcoming AGM on Sunday is expected to witness some key announcements, especially regarding the tenure of Sourav Ganguly as the head of the BCCI. Currently, according to the current tenure cap that was formulated by the Supreme Court appointed Lodha Panel, an office-bearer who has served two three-year terms, either at the BCCI or at the state association, goes into a compulsory three-year cooling-off period. However, all that could change in the upcoming AGM.
If reports are to be believed, the AGM could pass a resolution where it would want that period to kick in only after the individual has finished two terms which is six years, at the board and state association separately. If passed with a three-fourth majority, it will effectively extend the tenure of Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah respectively until 2024. However, for that to happen, the proposed change needs the approval of the Supreme Court, failing with which the BCCI could be hauled up for contempt of court.
The major reason for changing the cooling off period is that this is a "restrictive" step and robs the BCCI of able and experienced administrators that would safeguard the interests of Indian cricket. The next major amendment in the AGM would be to not approach the Supreme Court each time the BCCI wants to tweak the constitution, however small or big the change. In the order which was passed on August 2018, the court was "emphatically of the view" that the BCCI would need its permission to carry out any changes the constitution.
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BCCI treasurer Arun Dhumal told PTI that all the proposed amendments are aimed at strengthening the board's structure and will only be incorporated once approved by the Supreme Court. "We are not touching the 70-year age cap clause. With regards to the cooling off, our point of view is if somebody has gained experience by running the state association, why give him a cooling-off. That experience should be utilised in the best interest of the game. If he can contribute in the BCCI, why not?" said Dhumal. "We will take it (all passed amendments at the AGM) to the Supreme Court. We will put across our point of view. What are the practical difficulties we are facing with regards to a few things. In case the court agrees with our idea, then we will have those amendments.
