WADA vs BCCI

The aim of World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is to eradicate the menace of drugs in sports. In their drive to implement The World Anti-Doping Program they have included a “Whereabouts” clause in their code to enable Out-of Competition Dope Testing. This clause is the reason for recent spat between BCCI and WADA. Both the sides have their valid points.

The Indian Cricketers feel that this particular clause in the code may invade their privacy. The Sport Minister Mr. M. S. Gill told that if this code is good for other sports and countries why that is not good for Indian Cricketers. Moreover he adds that since the likes of Roger Federer and Usain Bolt had signed that WADA contract, why not the Indian Cricketers. His arguments are valid and to the point.

But one must understand that the freedom of privacy enjoyed by Indian Cricketers and other sports personalities in India are quite different. Even the top sports personalities in other countries like Federer or Bolt would be having better freedom of privacy than Indian Cricketers. Adding to that, Indian players also face security threat. The tone of the statements given by sports personalities of other discipline smacked more of jealousy than piece of advice or an assurance.

The probability of players taking to the performance-enhancing drugs is higher during off-season. The inured players can take to drugs to get cured very earlier. A fast bowler can take to drugs to increase his stamina and speed. So, out of competition dope testing is a necessity to tackle the menace of drugs and thus avoiding unfair play. But then whether “Whereabouts” clause is really necessary? How come WADA will test players during off-season?

I guess the whereabouts information if provided will be known only to the WADA officials and it will not be divulged to media or others. Some kind of whereabouts information is necessary for WADA officials to conduct out of competition tests. Alternatively the onus of reporting for the test can be put on the player himself. So, whenever WADA officials want to conduct any test on a player, the player has to report at nearest WADA nodal center. Anyway the players can be communicated by means of email or mobile. Whatever I understand about WADA “Whereabouts” clause, both sides can definitely relax their stubborn stand without compromising on the ultimate goal of eradicating drugs from the sports.

WADA Whereabouts Clause: GUIDELINES FOR IMPLEMENTING AN EFFECTIVE ATHELETE WHEREABOUTS PROGRAM. Some excerpts from this document:

“The Signatories to the World Anti-Doping Code recognize that effective Out-of-Competition Testing programmes are essential to the fight against doping in sport. They also recognize that effective Out-of-Competition Testing depends upon accurate and complete Athlete whereabouts information. As a result, the Code requires Athletes in Registered Testing Pools: (a) to provide detailed information, on a quarterly basis, about their whereabouts in the following quarter; and (b) to be available at those whereabouts for Out-of-Competition Testing. If an Athlete in a Registered Testing Pool fails to meet those requirements three (3) or more times in any 18-month period, he/she commits an anti-doping rule violation under Code Article 2.4, and is liable to be banned from sport for a period of between 12 and 24 months (or more if it is a repeat offence). See Code Articles 10.3.3 and 10.7.”

KAPIL, ICL AND BCCI

What prompted ex-cricketers like Kapil to join ICL?
1. Kapil once remarked that cricketers must be allowed to run the cricket boards during a felicitation of Dr. Ali Bacher, a player who later turned out to be the chief of South African cricket board. He must be fed up with manner in which businessmen and politicians running the show in India.
Kapil lashes out at BCCI on NDTV
2. Till last decade money paid to ex-cricketers and domestic cricketers were very small. They were not able to lead a decent life.
3. Some of the ex-cricketers were not treated and respected properly. Kapil in a chat with The Hindu said, “Some 20 years ago I saw Mr. Chandu Borde wait two hours outside the office of a Board official to collect his daily allowance. It was appalling. I pledged that day I would not allow myself to be seen in a similar situation. Playing cricket did not mean struggling to live.” Kapil Dev says that the financial aspect is very important in today’s context - The Hindu
4. Deserving ex-cricketers were not given suitable work or position in the board.

What prompted current domestic cricketers to join ICL?
1. Partiality and interference in selection process. This is the biggest malady happening for years. Shival Yadav’s son was picked for A-Team tours ahead of some deserving players.
2. Some players like Badani and Mongia may feel that they were discarded without giving ample opportunities.
Respect spectators and cricketers – Peter Roebuck

Something about BCCI
BCCI
BCCI presidents
BCCI secretaries
Raj Singh Dungarpur
Lalit Modi
Niranjan Shah
Jagmohan Dalmiya


Actual Facts and Suggestions:
1. In this age of professionalism the board needs dedicated professionals to handle the affairs. So board must do away with businessmen and Politicians. Once during a discussion on NDTV about sports in India, Vijay Amirtraj, famous Indian Tennis player, said that neither politicians/businessmen nor ex-players are best choice for administrative positions. He added that only qualified and experienced sports business graduates should run sports administration.
2. There must be two Directors: one for cricketing affairs and another one for other things. Above the two directors in the hierarchy should be the President of the board. Cricket Director must be an ex-cricketer. He will look after appointment of coaches, selectors and pitch committees, setting up of academies etc. Administrative Director will look after scheduling matches, organizing tours, marketing of TV rights etc.
3. In last few years the domestic players are started to get good money. Ex-cricketers are paid handsome pension amount monthly.
IS Bindra retaliate against Kapil
4. Still many things need to be done by BCCI. Process and Professionalism must be injected at all levels and all areas of working.

Final Word:
Essel group’s intention was to make money. Current domestic cricketers who have joined are mostly unhappy with BCCI’s treatment. Ex-cricketers who have joined ICL were denied deserving posts and position in BCCI. Actually Essel group was trying to exploit cricketers (both past and present) disgruntlement with the board for their commercial interests. If ICL is really interested in promoting and developing Indian cricket there are many other ways. In a way emergence of ICL is a blessing in disguise. It has shaken up the BCCI. BCCI must take all steps to ensure its Product (Cricket) is best and effective, its Employees (Cricketers) are satisfied, happy and getting all necessary benefits, and its Customers (Spectators) are satisfied with a fine product. It should welcome back ex-cricketers and current cricketers who have joined ICL to its fold.
BCCI vs ICL

BCCI VS ICL

There is a cold war going between BCCI and ICL. BCCI has failed to acknowledge ICL. This article is an attempt to analyse this scenario.

Structure
BCCI is not owned by any single person or a group. It is more like a Public-sector Company even though it is a private entity. Office bearers of BCCI are selected by elections. ICL is owned by ZEE group, which is promoted by Subhash Chandra. Subhash Chandra and his legal heirs have and would continue to have all the stakes in ICL. They will appoint the office bearers.

Football Clubs
Most football matches are played between various football clubs rather than different countries. Football clubs are owned by an individual or a group. But international or first class cricket matches are played between countries (or between different provinces in a country) only. I don’t think that model (i.e. matches between clubs) is going to be succeeding in the highest level of cricket.

Stanford’s Group
Stanford has invested huge money in West Indies cricket. They conduct Twenty20 matches now. The players involved in those matches are local players. Moreover West Indies Cricket Board is in financial crisis. Even if Mr. Stanford have commercial interests ultimately it is more beneficial for the players and West Indies cricket than him. But it seems that more than concern for cricket in India commercial interest is the overriding reason for floating ICL. BCCI is not in any financial crisis, infact they are richest cricketing body in the world. BCCI and ZEE group had some differences over telecast rights for the cricket matches. Yes, the functioning of BCCI is much to be desired.

BCCI’s Dilemma
BCCI has every right to appoint or dismiss former cricketers who work for various committees. But they don’t have the right to scrap the pension and other benefits of players who had played for the country or played first-class matches. First of all, BCCI should not be scared of ICL even though there are few things to be scared. Actually BCCI fear revenue losses incase leading Indian players join ICL. ICL ambitious plans indicate that it will function as a parallel league to BCCI, not as a complementary one. Most of the BCCI’s posts are honorary ones. Almost all the administrative officers are either politicians or corporate executives. Administrative persons should be dedicated ones. Atleast persons concerned with cricketing matters like selectors, NCA Director etc should be paid.

How Can ICL Contribute To Indian Cricket?
There are many non-BCCI tournaments happening in India. BCCI have recognized those tournaments and organizations involved in it. Teams (ONGC, SPIC, MRF etc) involved in such tournaments are affiliated to state cricket associations, which are part of BCCI. Most of those tournaments and organizations are complementary to BCCI’s efforts. MRF Pace Foundation is a good example of that. One article in Cricinfo had suggested that Twenty20 be outsourced to ICL. I don’t know whether that suggestion will work out nicely or not, it is an option. They can set up an academy for Spin bowling on the lines of MRF Pace Foundation. They can set up academy for coaches and umpires.

Final Word
BCCI must professionalize their structure and working. ICL should work in a complementary way to BCCI’s efforts. ICL should not be too ambitious. BCCI and ICL should have healthy discussions now, not war of words.

IMMEDIATE STEPS TO REVAMP INDIAN CRICKET

ADMINISTRATION
a) Any one in India can write a huge book on improving cricketing administration. There is much to offer. I think BCCI is greedy. Because of their greediness they are killing cricket as well as players careers. Volume of one-day cricket played should be reduced. What is the use of playing 7 one-dayers in a bilateral series? It is boring for fans and draining for cricketers. Then our leading cricketers can play more domestic cricket and domestic cricket is strengthened.
b) Conduct regular clinics for local coaches in India. They must be equipped with latest methods and training. They must have interaction with leading coaches in the world. (Also conduct regular clinics for umpires)
c) Every time our player is seriously injured he is flying to Australia for rehabilitation. With so much money under the coffer we can build world-class medical rehabilitation centre for sports persons.
d) Similar to MRF Pace Academy in Chennai we can also constitute Spin Academy. It can be managed by a prominent ex-spinner.
e) Competitiveness in domestic cricket and accustoming to tough pitch conditions are the two major factors affecting Indian players. These issues must be addressed: Duleep trophy must be made premier first-class tournament instead of Ranji Trophy. Each zone must play each other twice instead of once. We must have regular junior tours to countries like Australia, South Africa and England where pitches are unfamiliar. Pitches for domestic cricket must be sporting. (Sporting means not hard and bouncy. It means it should be conducive for batsmen, pacers and spinners alike)

CAPTAINCY
a) Persist with Dravid as Captain.
b) Appoint Yuvraj Singh as Vice-Captain. For Test Cricket VVS Laxman may be the Vice-Captain till Yuvraj establish himself in that format. Hopefully Yuvraj will establish himself in Test Cricket sooner.

COACHING
a) In hindsight I feel that most successful & great cricketers don’t make great coaches. Past records are enough proof for that. Sir Vivian Richards, Kapil Dev, Javed Miandad, Malcom Marshall and Greg Chappell were great players but not successful coaches. There must be some psychology and other reasons for that. Chappell can be better utilized as professional consultant to cricket board if they are willing. If we want an Indian then likes of Pataudi and Gavaskar are there.
b) Appoint Robin Singh as chief coach. (Recently coached Indian ‘A’ team). Other choices may be Tom Moody, Sandeep Patil and Dav Whatmore.
c) Appoint Venkatesh Prasad as bowling coach. (Recently coached Indian under-19 team). Other choices may be Bruce Reid and Troy Cooley.

SACHIN TENDULKAR & ANIL KUMBLE
a) Sachin must emulate Lara. Should retire from one-day internationals. This great man should concentrate on Test Cricket alone. This would prolong his career and his effectiveness.
b) Kumble has already indicated he would retire from shorter version and concentrate on Test Cricket only.

ATTITUDE
a) Wicket keepers are the ones who cheer and encourage other team members in tough moments of play. Kiran More, Nayan Mongia, Parthiv Patel and Dinesh Karthick are very good at it. But I never found Mr. Dhoni cheering and encouraging his team members while keeping. He must change his attitude and also improves his wicket keeping skills.
b) Get rid of conservatism in our system. Not selecting Romesh Pawar ahead of Kumble and Harbhajan was a sign of conservatism. It clearly affected our fortunes in the world cup.

SELECTION ISSUES
a) Romesh Pawar must be the first choice spinner in shorter version of the game. Harbhajan is only restrictive not wicket taking in shorter version. So drop Harbhajan from one-day squad.
b) Groom Piyush Chawla, the young leg-spinner.
c) Young batsmen like Rohit Sharma, Chetshwara Pujara, Badrinath and Manoj Tiwary must be given opportunities. Not all at one go, one by one must be slowly drifted into the team.
d) Ganguly is a liability to the team in both forms of the game. Drop him. Don’t be fooled by his recent scores. When you score it must be counted and team must win.