BCCI does not agree with ‘One State, One Association’ as cricket associations have been existing even before the formation of states after Independence. This was submitted by senior advocate K K Venugopal during the BCCI case proceedings in the Supreme Court today.
The court today adjourned the matter to March 18. Various state cricket associations have moved the court regarding implementation of Lodha committee recommendations.
Venugopal, appearing for BCCI submitted that they have drafted a document, accepting some of the suggestions of the committee after a meeting which was held to discuss Lodha committee report. He also submitted that some states have more than one association since there was a lot “cricket activity” in those areas.
The BCCI counsel also said the BCCI does not agree with the recommendation regarding banning advertisements between overs as the board has given broadcast right till 2018 to channels. “If the ads are stopped, the BCCI’s revenue will drop by 30 per cent,” he further submitted.
Meanwhile, senior advocate Kapil Sibal who was representing Vadodra Cricket Association said that no notice was given to them, hence, “our voice was unheard before Lodha committee”. Intervening in Venugopal’s ad revenue argument, he said, “35 per cent of ICC revenue comes from BCCI, which is why the Board enjoys such a clout in world cricket.”
Venugopal could not give a reply when the CJI asked the amount of funds allocated by BCCI to north east states like Nagaland, Tripura, Sikkim. The court also asked him about the process of granting funds to state cricket associations, and how it is spent, to which Venugopal sought time to file an affidavit.
Sibal, on the other hand, requested the court to send the matter back to Lodha committee since Vadodra and other associations that have been affected “need to be heard”.
He also submitted that territorial boundaries of states or cricketing boundaries of association is an issue which needs to be reconsidered by the committee.
The bench asked all the interveners to file an affidavit, and submit their stand on Lodha committee report.