Lack Of Funds Is An Issue To Host International Games: State Boards
Jan 12, 2017 at 6:52 PM
The cricket state associations are concerned over the lack of funds to host the cricket matches following the cricket governing body – Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) going through a revamp.
The financial impasse surfaced after former BCCI secretary Ajay Shirke had written an email to English Cricket Board President Giles Clarke to put brakes on Indian-England series.
However, according to news reports Shirke later denied the allegations for asking his counterpart to call off the series.
“Cricket is our priority and we will ensure the match is held to the best of our ability. But the point is that the funds are drying up. More importantly, the funds given to us by the BCCI is for running the game in the domestic circuit and for infrastructural expenses of the CAB,” Biswarup Dey, a CAB official was quoted as saying by CricketNext.
On the upcoming limited-overs series between India and England, the state associations have promised to stage matches while despite bearing losses.
The state association has taken a hit on the financial transaction after the board failed to implement the Supreme Court-led Lodha Panel proposals.
“A one-off situation is fine where we host a game and the BCCI pays us later. But in the current scenario, we are yet to be paid the dues for the Test between India and New Zealand. The funds are now drying up and things need to be sorted soon,” he added.
While echoing the words of CAB official Dey, an Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association official has urged that the issue of funds should be addressed as early as possible to make it a smooth process.
“See, we are all working towards successfully hosting the limited overs series, but the fact remains that funds need to be disbursed at the earliest. We are yet to get payment for hosting the first Test of the series between India and New Zealand,” stated Uttar Pradesh official.
Asirbad Behera, the cricket association secretary from Orrisa has stated that the state body is making special arrangements for hosting the second ODI on January 26.
“We have started preparations and we are confident of hosting a successful game. Yes, financial assistance is an issue in the current scenario, but we will do the necessary payments as of now and hope that we get the money from BCCI soon,” Behera said.
Before Australia’s four-match Test series, India will face Bangladesh in one-off Test next month.