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“A lot of people have got a wrong idea that BCCI was sitting on pots of money. BCCI is a non-profit organisation. It is committed to its members, associations, players and equally committed to creating infrastructure,” said N Srinivasan.
He was addressing a felicitation function organised for him by the Madras Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Madras Management Association. Srinivasan, who is the vice-chairman and managing director of India Cements Ltd, was felicitated for being appointed as chairman of the international cricket body ICC recently.
Explaining the scheme of works at the BCCI, Srinivasan said associations were receiving Rs 50 crore for creating stadium infrastructure and for other related expenditure, while in the past it was around Rs 4 crore. Due to these, “we are getting new stadia in Rajkot, Pune, Ranchi, while all the old stadia including the M A Chidambaram and Wankhede were getting renovated”.
From the revenues generated from media rights, the BCCI ensured the respective 25 state associations receive 70 per cent of the television revenue, which enables them in turn to spread cricket into the rural areas.
According to him, the BCCI allocates its funds— 26 per cent is given to the players; 13 per cent to all international players; 10.6 per cent to domestic players and 2.6 per cent to junior players.
Earlier, while a domestic player in Ranji trophy earned Rs 100-1,000, a player now gets Rs 30,000-35,000. Cricket today is a viable career option. This is a substantial amount and it offers a livelihood for them, he added. "This is what we have done to the players," he said. The BCCI is also offering pension to Ranji players and cricketers who played even on test are getting one-time pension, he said.
"The BCCI has quietly, without fanfare, looked after its own and its cricketers," he added.
BCCI has got more from ICC, but that is in recognition of what India brings to the table. India brings 80 per cent, but the same time, out of the topline we get 21 per cent or so in eight years. What is agreed is, in the next eight years, from 2023-2031, India cannot get less, he said.
"In other words, the income over a period of 16 years has been settled. It is there for the BCCI now to spend it wisely and in the direction in which we have already started, it will continue to look after to help associations build infrastructure, improve domestic structure and take care of players," he said. It gives the confidence to be a professional sportsman and that is the change that has been brought about, the opportunity was not there in early days, he added.
"I think BCCI should be understood in a proper perspective. Not only here, even as far as the ICC is concerned, whatever positions India has taken in the ICC, is not on a whim," he said. The focus has to be not only on cricket, but everything that surrounds it, even the infrastructure, it must ensure that for the spectator, it must be a pleasant experience, he said.
The journey to the position where he stands is not easy, particularly for a person from this part of the Country, said an emotional Srinivasan while responding to the praises of his friends from the industry during the felicitation.
"There has been a lot of challenges. This journey has not been a simple journey. It has not been a short journey also," he said. "It has taken a long time and I think apart from my own passion for cricket, the will to succeed were also a very important reason to be able to get to this point. To move ahead with cricket itself - because it is highly competitive - is not easy, particularly for a person from this part of the country. It is not that easy," he said.
"But I had tremendous support. The support I have had among the members of the BCCI, the camaraderie that I have shared, with all of them. I think that is the real reason for the success in the BCCI. You cant do anything on your own. Everybody should like and believe in you. If you are straight and transparent, then it is possible. Otherwise it is very difficult," he added.
