BCCI unable to pay allowances to India U-19 players and support staff

So far, players have been managing things by themselves, and are relied on their parents for financial support.

After registering an emphatic series victory over England Under-19 in the ODI series, a certain news took everyone aback, that India U-19 are yet to receive their daily allowances from Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Cricketers as well as support staff, including coach Rahul Dravid, have not received their allowances from the board. The reason behind this is the absence of official signatory to release funds after the Supreme Court axed BCCI secretary Ajay Shirke, following the demonetization policy of cash withdrawal limit of INR 24,000 per week.

As reported by Indian Express, a junior Indian cricketer went without any pay for half a month. Their daily allowance is INR 6,800. So far, players have been managing things by themselves, and are relied on their parents for financial support. Going by the sources, it is confirmed that players were told that BCCI has no official signatory currently to sign daily allowance cheques, as all the payments will be approved by the secretary.

Shirke was removed after Anurag Thakur was sacked from the post of BCCI President, along with joint-secretary Amitabh Choudhary and treasurer Anirudh Choudhary. And to appoint a new secretary, the current board members have to pass a new resolution. The Supreme Court appointed Committee of Administrators to look at the board’s functioning. It also allowed BCCI CEO Rahul Johri to use the imprest account in order to cover the routine operating expenses from a bank to pay the daily allowances of the senior team, who are currently in Hyderabad to play one-off Test against Bangladesh.

“We have decided that once the series gets over, we will send DA directly to the accounts of players and support staff. Even in BCCI, there are lots of problems, as we don’t have a signatory and we can’t pay anyone,” BCCI official said.

One of the member of the U-19 team also expressed about the problems, saying, “We are managing somehow. During match days, one meal is organised by the host association and breakfast is complimentary at the hotel. But the biggest problem is dinner. We are put up in a posh hotel in Mumbai where a sandwich costs over Rs 1,500. Players have no option but to step out for a meal after a tiring day on the field.”

A player added, “Even if you want to complain, who will you complain to.”

About the Author