"BCCI is the most efficiently run sports body in the world": Rajiv Shukla

Rajiv Shukla

Rajiv Shukla has been one of the most public faces of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) as vice-president. He is almost always available for a sound byte on issues surrounding Indian cricket. In a recent interview with the Asian Age, Shukla talked amongst other things about how the BCCI was amongst the most efficiently run sports bodies in the world and also likened the relationship between the BCCI and ICC to that between the United States of America and United Nations.

Excerpts:

On loyalists of N. Srinivasan being rewarded with his return as president of the board..

There is no question of being rewarded. I have been BCCI’s vice-president many times. It’s nothing new and can’t be termed as a reward. I can only say that I am close and loyal to the BCCI, not to any individual or any group.

On whether he should have stepped aside on moral grounds and ceased to support Srinivasan once it was known about the chief’s son-in-law’s involvement in the betting scam..

There was a suggestion by a few members that he should step aside. He did so. Later, when the question of statutory requirement came, the working committee authorised him to discharge the president’s functions. He is only discharging statutory functions till he gets a new directive from the Supreme Court.

On the Supreme Court’s indictment of the BCCI..

If the apex court has made any observation, we shall look into it. Since the observation that has come is not elaborate, the BCCI lawyers are unable to respond. If the top court points out deficiencies, we will definitely correct them. The BCCI is the most efficiently run (sports) body in the world. There are so many sports organisations in the country. Why is it that the BCCI alone has earned name and fame at the international level and popularised the game of cricket. What the US is to the UN, the BCCI is to the International Cricket Council. The BCCI has earned its reputation and one should appreciate this, rather than criticise.

On Srinivasan’s relentless quest for power despite objections..

He is not trying to bulldoze. All decisions are being taken by the working committee and are then ratified by the board.

You can read the full interview here where Rajiv Shukla is quizzed on a whole host of other issues as well.