Mithali Raj and her World Cup squad look set for more cash rewards, as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), may propose an increase in the cash award of Rs 50 lakh for each player at its Special General Meeting (SGM) on Wednesday (July 26). Earlier, the BCCI had announced the prize for the team for its stupendous performance in the World Cup where it finished the runners-up.
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No one had given even an outside chance to the Women in Blue, who had played the qualifiers, to make it to the final of the just-concluded tournament. However, the ladies defied all odds and exceeded all the expectations, as they defeated the likes of England, New Zealand and Australia to make it to the title-decider, where they lost by just nine runs.
And the players are now reaping the rewards for their sensational performances. Before the final, the BCCI had announced a cash reward of Rs 50 lakh for each player and Rs 25 lakh for all the support staff. However, a lot of members from the various state units feel that the players deserve to be paid more for their brilliant effort.
“I will propose that the cash award should be hiked to Rs 60 lakh for the players and Rs 30 lakh for the support staff. The girls have made us proud and they should rewarded adequately. I think no one should have any objection if they are being paid more,” a state unit representative from west zone was quoted as saying by PTI.
Citing the example of the Border-Gavaskar series earlier this year, the source said that the decision taken by the Committee of Administrators can be changed.
“If one can recall after the India vs Australia series, played earlier this year ended, the COA had announced a cash award of Rs 50 lakh for the Indian men’s team. The general body then decided to increase it to Rs 1 crore per player,” the source said.
CK Khanna, the BCCI acting president, has also come out in support of women’s cricket and has expressed his desire to raise the issue of hike in match fees for ladies.
“The women cricketers should have a hike in match fees. I will raise the issue at an appropriate forum,” Khanna said.
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