Cricket: Weak boards more worrying than BCCI’s influence says Lorgat
ICC chief executive wants other countries to stand firm.
It is not the strength of the Indian cricket board that concerns Haroon Lorgat but the ‘weaknesses’ of other member boards.
Fingers have often been pointed at the heavy influence the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) enjoys in world cricket and a lot of decisions taken by the International Cricket Council (ICC) have been attributed to that pressure.
The u-turn on the Decision Review System (DRS), recently, came about following India’s strong opposition to its use, citing the lack of accuracy in delivering results aided by technology that was not 100 per cent accurate.
The ICC chief executive, however, acknowledged and termed the financial strength that India enjoys as ‘good for the game’ as well but rued how far other boards lagged behind when the need of the hour is to step up and show leadership when voicing their concerns.
“We must acknowledge that the economic might of India is good for the game,” Lorgat told the Abu Dhabi based The National. “I don’t begrudge India for its strength. Rather, what concerns me is the weakness of other boards. They need to find ways and means of generating revenue, of sustaining the game. They cannot operate on a dependency mentality.”
While the ICC official admitted India were a force in the game’s governance, he said that lack of leadership from other boards was the reason behind the power that India enjoyed.
“India does not favour DRS for whatever reason, right? It’s up to others to stand firm and to have the courage of their convictions to oppose that process. That’s more a reflection of weak leadership on other boards. The game cannot exist with India alone.”
Lorgat added that India have shown there was money to be made from the game, pointing out the popularity of the Twenty20 format, while also urging the ICC to promote Test cricket.
“Let’s not forget they were opposed to it (Twenty20) initially. They’ve harnessed the potential to generate new funds,” said Lorgat whose term as chief executive ends next year. He added that the meagre amount of prize money, given to the top Test team, indicated the value of the format to the ICC.
“There’s been a resurgence of interest in Tests. [But] we’re certainly not providing the same weight financially or otherwise to it.”
‘Tax exemptions to ICC unjustified’
India’s Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance has called for a review of the tax exemption of approximately $8.67 million that was granted to the ICC for the 2011 World Cup and termed it ‘unjustified and devoid of merit’.
According to ESPNcricinfo, the recommendation was one of several contained in the committee’s report, which was tabled by Sports Minister Ajay Maken, to a question about the inquiries into the various allegations against the BCCI.
It was also scathing in its criticism of the Income Tax Department, saying it had been inconsistent in taxing the BCCI and called for a probe of the department.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 2nd, 2011.
Fingers have often been pointed at the heavy influence the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) enjoys in world cricket and a lot of decisions taken by the International Cricket Council (ICC) have been attributed to that pressure.
The u-turn on the Decision Review System (DRS), recently, came about following India’s strong opposition to its use, citing the lack of accuracy in delivering results aided by technology that was not 100 per cent accurate.
The ICC chief executive, however, acknowledged and termed the financial strength that India enjoys as ‘good for the game’ as well but rued how far other boards lagged behind when the need of the hour is to step up and show leadership when voicing their concerns.
“We must acknowledge that the economic might of India is good for the game,” Lorgat told the Abu Dhabi based The National. “I don’t begrudge India for its strength. Rather, what concerns me is the weakness of other boards. They need to find ways and means of generating revenue, of sustaining the game. They cannot operate on a dependency mentality.”
While the ICC official admitted India were a force in the game’s governance, he said that lack of leadership from other boards was the reason behind the power that India enjoyed.
“India does not favour DRS for whatever reason, right? It’s up to others to stand firm and to have the courage of their convictions to oppose that process. That’s more a reflection of weak leadership on other boards. The game cannot exist with India alone.”
Lorgat added that India have shown there was money to be made from the game, pointing out the popularity of the Twenty20 format, while also urging the ICC to promote Test cricket.
“Let’s not forget they were opposed to it (Twenty20) initially. They’ve harnessed the potential to generate new funds,” said Lorgat whose term as chief executive ends next year. He added that the meagre amount of prize money, given to the top Test team, indicated the value of the format to the ICC.
“There’s been a resurgence of interest in Tests. [But] we’re certainly not providing the same weight financially or otherwise to it.”
‘Tax exemptions to ICC unjustified’
India’s Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance has called for a review of the tax exemption of approximately $8.67 million that was granted to the ICC for the 2011 World Cup and termed it ‘unjustified and devoid of merit’.
According to ESPNcricinfo, the recommendation was one of several contained in the committee’s report, which was tabled by Sports Minister Ajay Maken, to a question about the inquiries into the various allegations against the BCCI.
It was also scathing in its criticism of the Income Tax Department, saying it had been inconsistent in taxing the BCCI and called for a probe of the department.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 2nd, 2011.