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BCCI officials don't need COA approval to call SGM: Vinod Rai

[caption id="attachment_40370" align="aligncenter" width="580"] The Fab Five of Indian cricket in one frame. Image Source: twitter[/caption] Internet Desk: The Fab Five of Indian cricket will be felicitated on the inaugural day of IPL X. Out of the five, four are former India captains – Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and Virender Sehwag. However it was not known why former captain and current national coach Anil Kumble, an equal contributor along with these five during Indian cricket’s golden phase, has not been included in the felicitation list. IPL Governing Council chairman Rajiv Shukla informed that the five legends of Indian cricket will be felicitated on the day of IPL opening ceremony. "They are Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman, Rahul Dravid and Sehwag," he said to the reporters in the Delhi. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officials also got a major boost in its ambition to get united in their move against the Committee of Administrators (COA). Mr Vinod Rai, the head of COA on Thursday made it clear that the Board officials will not require an approval from the COA to convene a Special General Meeting. "They (BCCI) don't need COA approval to call Special General Meeting (SGM) but yes they have to keep us in the loop. Also the decisions taken at SGM do not need any ratification of COA per se but if there is any deviation from SC diktat, the COA steps in," said Rai after IPL Governing Council meeting in the capital. Asked if the SGM will be held as per schedule on April 9, Rai said that no decision has been taken in this regard. Meanwhile, Mr Rai also made it clear that Rajiv Shukla will continue to remain the IPL chairman. Mr Shukla, who was not present during the IPL auctions chaired today’s meeting. "Mr Shukla is not disqualified as per Supreme Court order. Also the earlier governing council exists. It was Mr Shukla who chaired the meeting," Rai clarified. Mr Shukla also said that there was no bitterness felt during the meeting. "The discussions with the COA happened in cordial atmosphere. We all want IPL 10 to be successful. We have taken a host of decisions for this edition of IPL. Mumbai gets a play off as their last year's play-off was shifted due to draught," he said. Among the IPL GC members, PV Shetty, Sourav Ganguly, CK Khanna, Aniruddh Chaudhary were present in person. Amitabh Chaudhary attended via tele conference while Jyotiraditya Scindia didn't show up. MP Pandove is disqualified from GC as he is above 70 years. Another key decision which was taken was that a one-time ex-gratia payment to former women India International will be presented at each individual player's home IPL venue. Supreme Court appointed, the Committee of Administrators (COA) on Thursday also have agreed to release match funds to the state associations before they host their opening match. As per reports, every staging association gets Rs 60 lakh to host every IPL game. From the total amount, Rs 30 lakh is paid by the IPL franchise before the start where as BCCI used to pay their share two weeks after the completion of the League. However, in a departure from the current norm, the COA after a meeting with the officials from 10 state associations has decided that the BCCI's share will also be paid before the start of the IPL season. "We will get the entire amount before the first match at each centre. The COA was very receptive to our suggestions and said that from this edition the Rs 30 lakh per match that BCCI disburses for staging associations, it will be paid before the first match," Presidents of a state unit told the media on the condition of anonymity. The representatives of 10 staging units (Delhi, Karnataka, Mumbai, Maharashtra, Bengal, Punjab, UP, Hyderabad, Saurashtra, MP) met the COA to discuss disbursement of funds. Therefore as per today's decision, the likes of Kolkata, Delhi, Bangalore will be getting a minimum of Rs 4.20 Cr (Rs 60 lakh per match for minimum 7 games) before the start of the first match. Similarly, UPCA which is hosting two matches in Kanpur, will get Rs 1.20 Cr.