Match fixing and spot fixing is not new to cricket. What is sad is that the cricketing body, the BCCI has done nothing to ensure that the game remains clean
The drama that is being played out on news channels these days with regards to IPl spot fixing not only saddens the fans but entertains them as well. The 24X7 buzz has given an insight into nexus that exists among politicians, businessmen and bureaucrats.
It is strange that men who have actually contributed to the game — Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar and even Sachin Tendulkar — have virtually no say in cricket. Many would not know that Kapil Dev, who won us the first World Cup ever, fought tooth and nail and yet did not manage to become a member of the Haryana Cricket Association.
The IPl 6 spot fixing has brought to light the mess that exists in Board Of Control For Cricket In India (BCCI). What is even worse is that the top management in the board just refuse to take the responsibility. It is disheartening for an ordinary man who loves the game to know that the leaders who are usually at loggerheads with each other have now come together to save their skin. None of the leaders wanted to face the camera. These are the same leaders who otherwise are seen romancing the media.
It’s now out in the open that there are many people at the top who are partners in crime. Why is it that Farooq Abdullah is the president of Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association. As a politician, Farooq should be paying attention to the politics and leave the sports governance to the people who will do justice to the post they will hold. In Himachal Pradesh, Anurag Thakur, (son of former Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal), who is an MP is also president of Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association.
Coming to the now former BCCI boss Srinivasan. He has confessed that he does not watch IPl. So what is his interest in cricketIJ In Gujarat, the Prime Ministerial candidate for the BJP, Narender Modi is the president of Gujarat Cricket Association. This is a bit confusing. Why would a person who aspires to become the next Prime Minister of the largest democracy in the world is the president of a gaming body. In Rajasthan, we have the Railway Minister CP Joshi as president of the Rajasthan Cricket Association.
Then there are two Rajya Sabha members Arun Jaitley and Rajeev Shukla who are part of a game that lies in shambles today. The politicians today have spoilt the essence of cricket single-handled to the annoyance of the Indians. They have proved they can mess up anything for their selfish interests.
Even the brutal attack in Chhattisgarh did not manage to wipe this scandal off national headlines. It is time sportsmen manage the sport associations from now on. How can our Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, in whose constituency, thousands of people are dying due to starvation and malnutrition, take time out from his Ministerial duties to give time to BCCIIJ
It was Power Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia who was the first to come out and voice his views on Srinivasan’s resignation. The others followed him. Now of course there is a tug of war in full public view. It is shameful that our leaders have become so thick-skinned that they are not ready to resign despite their involvement in various scandals. You scratch my back, I scratch your’s is the norm.
Common interests across party lines comes first. I wish they would show such maturity during Parliament and on national policies. One wishes that the amount of time politicians spend trying to make money on the side, could be spent on welfare of the people.
In the midst of all this, what is the Sports Ministry doingIJ Why is it silentIJ Why has it not stepped inIJ The only thing that our politicians have to say is that sport bodies should be headed by those who know the game. But is that enoughIJ
The common man feels cheated. His interest in the sport, that is considered to be national pastime, has gone down. It’s upsetting for the public to see the insensitivity of the cricket bosses and the politicians.