Corporate Influence in Indian Cricket

[thirdumpire]

India, it is said , has become the economic superpower in world cricket. The rich uncle of cricket you could say. Contracts, commercials, prime-time television rights, official sponsors, ambush campaigns... it is just not the same any more. No wonder, the companies holding the purse strings find themselves in a situation where they can impose themselves on the game. They have the star players; they can dictate terms.

A piece of news caught my eye the other day - sponsors will pull out if Tendulkar is not part of the team, so for the money, the Board has to include him in the team even if it is obvious that he wont be playing . Tendulkar on the other hand will loose out on a pile of cash (contract oblications indicates he has to be a member of the team) , so he has to report to the stadium everyday during a match - tennis-elbow or not...

 

[masterblaster]

Its just too bloody much really. All the BCCI head honcho's are all absolute fatcats. Its an absolute outrage really, the BCCI have the money, the tools and the power to turn India into a true cricketing superpower by spending all this sh*tload of money on proper stadiums, proper facilities, fitness centres, centres for excellence etc.

But no, they just like to sit on all their cash, and continue to take home the money, while facilities and Indian Cricket Stadiums continue to be rather poor compared with England, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. The BCCI really need to realise and prioritise where all this money goes.

How about some International quality stadiums like the MCG or Telstra Dome for a change? We've certainly got the money and power to do it, to bad the BCCI are all a bunch of corrupt corporate dogs.

 

[Deja moo]

There was a news report yesterday which showed that the BCCI spent 1% of its income on Domestic coaches, and 5% on "Committee meeting expenses" .

Shameful.

 

[masterblaster]

It's really quite pathetic, and now the BCCI have a guy like Ranbir Singh Mahendra calling the shots. Indian Cricket has no idea really at the moment, when it comes to proper development and spending the money in the right areas.

The BCCI need a responsible, visionary, and commited leader who's main purpose is to see Indian Cricket flourish and prosper as much as possible. This includes buidling world class cricket stadiums on par with stadiums such as the MCG, Telstra Dome, WACA, Wanderers etc.

Getting the money out to the NCA, to develop the stars of tomorrow and re-structuring this domestic league with faster, greener wickets. Indian Cricket is in a rut it's never gotten out of unfortunately. Even looking at the MA Chidambram Stadium, its just terrible really, apart from the 'new' video screen/scorecard which was the MCG's old one.

 

[SJS]

Fortunately or unfortunately, the one thing that has happened during the tenure of Dalmiya and Co is the quantum leap in the players paychecks. This means the senior players have a 'soft corner' for this management.

The management doesnt insist on the 'international, players to play domestic cricket and the 'internationals' dont care what the management does for the domestic game.

 

[Arjun]

By the way, did anyone from Mumbai read today's Times of India's Letters section? Someone suggested that all former and current players stage a coup and take control of the BCCI.

 

[SJS]

By the way, did anyone from Mumbai read today's Times of India's Letters section? Someone suggested that all former and current players stage a coup and take control of the BCCI.

It wouldnt be a bad idea if it could be ensured that the players will not bring their own brand of partisanship, regionalism and petty politics. The solution may turn out to be at least as bad than the problem.

What we really need is for professionals to be hired to run it full time. These , 'honourary' and their dishonourable cohoots will always abound whether they come from business communities, political sphere or former cricketers.

We need full time qualified professionals. The Board is rich enough to pay salaries comparable with the best corporation in the country. Unfortunately neither the present board, nor the politicians , nor the state units are interested in anything like this. They are interested in something similar to the present system for then no one is accountable for the real business of the board, controlling the billions of Rupees.

The nexus is too deep. We will keep on having one set fo crooks replaced by another irrespective of what their former vocation in life.

 

[Deja moo]

By the way, did anyone from Mumbai read today's Times of India's Letters section? Someone suggested that all former and current players stage a coup and take control of the BCCI.

Highly unlikely to happen, but I support it .

 

[Arjun]

Ajit wadekar, Kapil Dev and Sunil Gavaskar are the best men to have in control.

On a side note, which newspapers do the rest of you in India get?

 

[ijaz]

loads of rich men and sport do not mix, for all the aussies just have a look at what super league did to Rugby League how long did they last. India will never go anywhere unless the right people are behind the game with interests in the game and not the dollar signs