Shamik Chakrabarty, Mumbai
The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has nominated its president Ajinkya Naik to represent the association at the BCCI’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on September 28, RevSportz understands. However, it is learnt that Naik might be travelling abroad during that time and could nominate someone else to be at the AGM. That someone else, however, is not Sachin Tendulkar, according to sources. The whole thing sort of douses the wild rumour that Tendulkar could be the next BCCI president.
It is learnt that the MCA has sent an email to its Apex Council members, seeking ratification that Naik, the MCA president, would be the association’s representative at the cricket board’s AGM, to be held in Mumbai. A response is expected by Thursday evening. It’s a formal process as state associations follow the new BCCI constitution, approved by the Supreme Court. However, if Naik is not available to attend the AGM, he would pick someone else on his behalf to do the honours.
The BCCI president’s post has fallen vacant with Roger Binny stepping down after turning 70. As per the cricket board’s constitution, no office-bearer can continue after that age. Rajeev Shukla is said to be currently serving as interim president. At the AGM, elections for the post of office-bearers would be held, and it was rumoured that Tendulkar might be requested to take up the role as a unanimous choice. Obviously, there was no confirmation from the legendary former India captain’s side.
In order to be eligible to become a BCCI president, a candidate must be an active member of a state cricket association.
He/she cannot hold office in any other sports body. And thirdly, he/she shouldn’t have violated the BCCI constitution.
As per the present BCCI constitution, a former India player automatically becomes a member of the respective state association. But to contest for an office-bearer’s post, nomination from a state association is necessary. “A candidate needs the nomination letter from his/her state body to be eligible to participate in the BCCI elections. Without that, he/she doesn’t qualify. Just being a member of a state association doesn’t make a candidate eligible,” a BCCI functionary told RevSportz.
The previous two BCCI presidents were former India cricketers of repute — Binny and Sourav Ganguly. Even if the BCCI continues with the recent practice, it’s very unlikely that Tendulkar would be assuming the role. A different state association nominating the ‘Master Blaster’ as its representative for the upcoming BCCI AGM appears a little too far-fetched.
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