The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is the governing body for cricket in India. The board was formed in December 1928 as a society, registered under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act. It was set up by a group of players at Delhi’s Roshnara Club to end the British monopoly in cricket, but isn’t it evident that BCCI has turned itself into a kind of monopoly not only in India but even in world cricket.
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It is not a hidden fact that cricket is the most popular sport in India. People here don’t consider it as a sport but think of it as a religion. According to a market survey conducted by ICC, cricket has over one billion fans globally which comprise approximately 90% Indian fans. This clearly shows how hyped cricket is in India. IPL has further intensified the craze among people. The management of such a popular sport rests in the hands of a single body i.e. BCCI. In FY 2019–2020, the total annual income of BCCI was estimated to be over INR 3,730 crore (US$535 million), including INR 2,500 crore (US$345 million) from the IPL, INR 950 crore (US$139 million) from bilateral cricket with other nations, and INR 380 crore (US$51 million per year or total US$405 million for 8 years) from India’s share of ICC revenue. Clearly, this indicates that the BCCI is the world’s richest board and is even regarded as one of cricket’s big economic players. Though the BCCI pays taxes to the Government, the proportion of taxes paid accounts for a very small portion of the total income of the BCCI. Furthermore, there have been instances wherein the board has either not paid or not entirely paid the amount due as a tax against their liability by claiming themselves to be a charitable organisation. A body earning such high revenues is clearly not a charitable one. Such high revenues have led to cricketers being the richest sportsperson in our country, which makes one wonder about sportsmen from other backgrounds. Money is one of the reasons why every Indian thinks of becoming a cricketer at least once in his life. As a result, other sports tend to get ignored. President Sourav Ganguly announced a Rs 5 Crore Team Bonus After India’s Memorable Series-Win Down Under. We all know that such a huge amount wouldn’t have been offered in the case of any other sport. There is no denying the fact that India’s win was remarkable but there should be some regulation and control by the Government in all such matters. Lastly, when all other sports come under the Ministry of Youth and Sports then why is cricket an exception?
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BCCI is among the most reputed boards all over the world and it has been managing all its activities and functioning in a pretty decent manner over these years. BCCI is one of the reasons why cricket is so popular among Indians. “What is ICC (international cricket council) without BCCI,” asks BCCI treasurer Arun Dhumal. This clearly shows that BCCI has a major hold in ICC which not only increases the welfare of Indian cricket but also works as a positive catalyst for the entire nation. India is recognised for its cricketers, largely because of the BCCI. BCCI has managed the sport and its players in such an efficient manner that the viewership and popularity of Indian cricket have only risen over the years. The government already has many matters to look into so it decided to set up a separate body that would govern cricket. This not only relieved the government but also brought positive results for the sport. Without the BCCI, Indian cricket would definitely not be in the position that it holds today. BCCI has regularly announced huge spending that it would incur in order to upgrade the cricket stadiums which enhances the country’s infrastructure. Cricket also attracts many tourists from different countries which is rare in the case of other sports, thereby helping to boost the tourism industry. There are a number of people employed in cricket ranging from the medical team to security, cheerleaders etc. This also helps in generating employment within the country. The constant support that cricket has received from the BCCI has allowed it to grow to its current levels. Therefore, BCCI has not only resulted in enhancing cricket as a sport but also contributed to the country’s welfare.
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Though the BCCI has given its best over the years and has been one of the most successful boards in the world, there are still certain loopholes and aspects of the board that could be improved. A recent headline read “Can Sourav Ganguly secure for BCCI the Income Tax exemption it wants?” which clearly indicates that BCCI has been working on strategies through which it could exempt itself from paying income tax but a body that has an annual income of over INR 3,730 crore can’t simply claim itself to be a charitable one and get such an exemption. A clause should be formulated wherein the amount of income tax to be paid by BCCI should increase so that it goes into the government’s revenue and the Indian government could also be benefitted from the continuous rise in popularity that Indian cricket is witnessing. BCCI should also contribute towards the funding of other sports because cricket is already immensely popular and now it is high time that other sports are also encouraged. The BCCI should also encourage Indian companies by offering them sponsorship rights and giving them concessions. This would help facilitate Atmanirbhar Bharat.
The BCCI has done its job in the best possible manner since its formation, however, it should start thinking not as a private body but as a body for the country’s welfare. Therefore, along with focusing on cricket, it should work towards other aspects and areas.
By Aarushi Doomra