Sport

System in place, but what about personnel

No organisation can hope to produce results without having a proper system. Not that the BCCI doesn’t have the system to function effectively, but a few loopholes have made it look vulnerable.

Fortunately, it has not affected the game which continues to flourish in India. To avoid politicking and allow office-bearers to function without having to face elections all the time, the amendment in the constitution has ensured that no election wil l take place for three more years.

Though this move may encourage inefficiency, it also puts the onus on the office-bearers to ensure the system is run professionally.

Picking the right combination for the selection committees will definitely be the BCCI’s top priority in the AGM. The concept of paid selectors is more for getting the big names involved in the selection process than changing the process.

The big cricketing names who have achieved at the international level would surely be committed to the job as they would not like to invite criticism for their unprofessional approach to selections.

Ideally a selector should be either a state selector or a NCA coach to have a better knowledge of the modern trend of the game.

It’s not his own past performance as a player or the number of Tests he has played that should determine his capability but his record as a national or state selector.

The irony is that when two legends — G. R. Viswanath and Dilip Vengsarkar — of the game make themselves available, it would be a folly if constitutional clause stalls their re-appointment.

Both have had excellent tenure as selectors. It’s a crucial period for Indian cricket. With half the Indian side close to retirement age, their replacements will be known only to those who are actively involved with the game.

The BCCI will need an additional official to share the workload of the Joint Secretary. For more than half a century, the positions in the hierarchy of the BCCI have remained unchanged though the workload has increased.

In a total number of 531 matches, 339 are played at the junior level. This adds to many problems while implementing programmes. Management of grounds, umpires, match-referees, NCA, tours of junior teams and various other programmes make the job of a Joint Secretary extremely tough.

With the addition of the proposed 25 state cricket academies and the possible renewal of the New Area Development Programme (all Union Territories), the BCCI will have to consider a special post that will have the powers of the Joint Secretary.

Both Brijesh Patel and Sanjay Jagdale, being cricket administrators of their respective states and having been national selectors themselves, would be able to make the implementation of the programme more productive. The right appointments for the key positions is an absolute necessity.

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