This goes out to all fans of the game of Cricket in India.
The quality of the cricket played in the just concluded Indian Cricket League has me in awe. Tremendous passion and unsurpassed dedication of the players resulted in amazing quality of cricket. It would be foolish to assume that the intensity of these highly professional players would be any more or less if they were playing for their home countries. Every ball bowled, every shot played and every ball fielded that I have seen had "International" quality stamped all over it.
It is time we, the fans, woke up and start raising our voice against the monopolistic and restrictive ways of the BCCI (Our Country even has a law against it) maybe it is not being invoked as BCCI is probably not a trader! or are they? They trade millions of dollars worth of sponsorships, ticketing revenues and Ads for our eye-balls. They get to make more money because we, the fans of cricket, watch all games where India plays. The BCCI had to launch their own league because they saw the threat from ICL coming their way, growing larger and coming at them faster that they had anticipated. If fans of this country get to watch great quality cricket who is this BCCI to try and stop it? If they have got what it takes then they should try and take on the ICL on a level playing field and let the quality of cricket and programming decide who the viewers flock to. By threatening Advertisers, by banning players and arm twisting media organizations the BCCI is only looking after its own petty interests. The sufferers are young players who have to put everything on the line. The Sufferers are we the fans of Indian Cricket who will probably never see the swashbuckling Ambatti Rayudu play for the Indian team if BCCI is allowed to carry on the way it is. Maybe it is time for the Government of India to step in and decide if the interests of the board are greater than that of the game and its followers. Maybe it is time for us to tell the world what we feel about what we see. Wake Up! Please!
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Thursday, August 30, 2007
ICL or No ICL?
Well....well....well..
This irrelevant battle now is getting more interesting. With the Delhi high court passing its judgment on the matter of companies firing their employees (read players) who join ICL. It is heartening to note that the Judiciary has seen the matter in a different light. For a cricket crazy nation that is united by this single sport, it is invaluable that talent be given opportunity to shine and show itself to the world. This is not happening today. You either need a godfather or lots of money to even get a bench seat in a Ranji Team today.
The format of ICL is not unique, neither is it path breaking. New to India, it may be but is common and a proven successful formula in all competitive sports like Soccer and Hockey. A competitive league will give tremendous opportunity to young stars budding across the horizon. Why did the Indian Hockey Federation not take similar action when the Premier Hockey League (PHL)was formed? BCCI is scared for many reasons. My list of what they could be:
1. Obviously, number one is that their monopoly on this Game of cricket in India will go. With it will go the Sponsorship and other lucrative contracts.
2. The wayward and high-handed ways of BCCI will be out in the open. With players now having an option, will open up and come forward and share information on anything wrong.
3. The corruption and sycophancy will have to go. No more boxes or cartons of "sweets" will be delivered.
It is high time that the Parliament steps in and forms a central regulatory authority for promotion of Cricket in India. This body will also be empowered to select and form the "National Team" and not "BCCI's Team" as submitted by them to the honourable Supreme Court of India recently. BCCI can either choose to become a part of this body and share its expertise with the Central body or it can choose to compete with ICL and any other league that comes in the future for good quality players and viewer's eyeballs.
I am glad that players of the stature of Lara, Inzamam and Klusener have joined the ICL and am looking forward to seeing them in action.
Let the fireworks begin....
This irrelevant battle now is getting more interesting. With the Delhi high court passing its judgment on the matter of companies firing their employees (read players) who join ICL. It is heartening to note that the Judiciary has seen the matter in a different light. For a cricket crazy nation that is united by this single sport, it is invaluable that talent be given opportunity to shine and show itself to the world. This is not happening today. You either need a godfather or lots of money to even get a bench seat in a Ranji Team today.
The format of ICL is not unique, neither is it path breaking. New to India, it may be but is common and a proven successful formula in all competitive sports like Soccer and Hockey. A competitive league will give tremendous opportunity to young stars budding across the horizon. Why did the Indian Hockey Federation not take similar action when the Premier Hockey League (PHL)was formed? BCCI is scared for many reasons. My list of what they could be:
1. Obviously, number one is that their monopoly on this Game of cricket in India will go. With it will go the Sponsorship and other lucrative contracts.
2. The wayward and high-handed ways of BCCI will be out in the open. With players now having an option, will open up and come forward and share information on anything wrong.
3. The corruption and sycophancy will have to go. No more boxes or cartons of "sweets" will be delivered.
It is high time that the Parliament steps in and forms a central regulatory authority for promotion of Cricket in India. This body will also be empowered to select and form the "National Team" and not "BCCI's Team" as submitted by them to the honourable Supreme Court of India recently. BCCI can either choose to become a part of this body and share its expertise with the Central body or it can choose to compete with ICL and any other league that comes in the future for good quality players and viewer's eyeballs.
I am glad that players of the stature of Lara, Inzamam and Klusener have joined the ICL and am looking forward to seeing them in action.
Let the fireworks begin....
Monday, August 27, 2007
My First Post
This is my first post on this blog. This blog, as elucidated in the introductory elements, will focus on issues and events of global nature that are close to my heart. I will attempt to highlight and share my views and thoughts on these matters.
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