Published: Sep 11, 2016, 05:11 PM (IST)
Edited: Sep 11, 2016, 05:11 PM (IST)
Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) president Anurag Thakur has voiced his opinion about what all reforms he intends to make to increase the popularity of Test cricket in India. He also spoke about how the BCCI is trying hard to make good facilities available for the women’s cricket team in India to be recognised globally. He furthermore also added that he cherishes this job because it is his area of interest and that it is the satisfaction which he receives after his day at work which makes this job worthwhile even though it being unpaid. READ: Anurag Thakur: Will not give single per cent share from BCCI to ICC
He was quick to praise the various states in India who have come up with academies for women’s cricket which have enabled women to come up with their talents to represent India at the international level. Talking to cricbuzz.com, Thakur was quoted saying, “You have to look at a few states such as Himachal Pradesh, Andhra and Kerala. They have done really well for women’s cricket by creating academies. You won’t find women coming forward or associations having academies in every district. But whatever limited resources you have, talent you have, you have to nurture that, you have to polish them and bring them to the national level.” READ: Cheteshwar Pujara completes 10,000 First-Class runs
“That is what these associations have done. More and more associations must do that. We need to create more and more stars from women’s cricket. Women’s cricket needs more stars. It is stars like Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar and Sachin Tendulkar who have immensely contributed towards making cricket more popular.”
A job in BCCI is unpaid and even after this Thakur has been proactive in his role as the president. Apart from this Thakur is also a Member of Parliament but he is still seen putting lot of effort in his role towards the BCCI. Talking about his role and about the element of doing an unpaid job, he said, “If you ask me, the judges are paid lakh of rupees. The Justic Lodha Committee has been paid Rs. 4 Crore to look into the matter. But as BCCI president, I don’t get anything. But Justice Lodha and others get crores of rupees.” . ALSO READ: Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh wish Murali Kartik on his 40th birthday
“I think it’s the passion for the game. Many people ask me ‘How much is Lodha Committee getting paid?’ They are paid Rs 3.5-4 Crore and they charge you lakh of rupees per hour or per day. Look at the contribution of the BCCI members. They aren’t paid anything. We are not here to make money, we are here to contribute and we are contributing. The elected office bearers have to be well paid. In the ICC, the office bearers are paid. Mr Shashank Manohar is paid.”
