History And Origin Of The Board Of Control For Cricket In India (BCCI)
Cricket was first introduced to India by European sailors in the 18th century when they arrived at coastal settlements. In 1751, the first recorded game took place between the British Army versus Settlers. Over time, it gained popularity, especially among the Parsi community who set up the Oriental Cricket Club back in 1848.
The BCCI was formally established on December 10th, 1928 after several meetings and efforts by leading promoters of cricket like Patiala’s Maharaja. BCCI was created as a single organisation that would control all cricketing activities taking place within it. R.E. Grant Govan became its first president while Anthony de Mello was appointed as secretary.
The Role Of BCCI In Indian Cricket
BCCI, being the central authority of Indian cricket is mandated with organising domestic and international matches as well as developing infrastructure while spreading the sport across various parts of the nation. Some responsibilities include:
-
Governance Of Cricket In India: The BCCI has total control over every aspect of cricket played locally from Ranji Trophy tournaments to national tours abroad; it also selects players for different formats besides overseeing their coaching and training.
-
Regulating Cricket Operations: The BCCI sets out rules that govern how cricket should be played so that there is fair play according to guidelines by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
-
Promotion Of Cricket: Development practices such as organising training camps and nurturing young talents form the basis of grassroots cricket promotion by BCCI, which has indeed propelled India to global dominance.
-
International Representation: As part of the “Big Three” in international cricket including Cricket Australia (CA) and England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), they have a lot of influence on world decision-making when it comes to cricket.
Read More: Mukhyamantri Sports Development Scheme For Unemployed Young Professional Sportsperson In Tripura
Structure And Functioning Of The BCCI
BCCI is structured with a president, five vice presidents (one for each zone), an honorary secretary, an honorary joint secretary, and an honorary treasurer. Day-to-day affairs are handled by a working committee that is headed by its President.
However, this structure has come under scrutiny with the Lodha Committee appointed by the Supreme Court of India recommending changes in its organisation. These recommendations will ensure more transparency and accountability within BCCI.
How BCCI Earns Its Revenue?
BCCI is among the richest sports organisations globally, and it is a self-governing body that does not rely on public funds. The financial details of this organisation are opaque: BCCI doesn’t get any government grants or any other form of financial aid. There are several ways through which the board gets its money:
-
Broadcasting Rights: Selling broadcasting rights to domestic and international cricket matches is a major source of income for the BCCI. In particular, the Indian Premier League (IPL) earns significant revenue through television and digital rights.
-
Sponsorships: Various companies enter valuable sponsorship deals with the BCCI, which includes team sponsorships and tournament endorsements. For instance, Air Sahara was one of the prime sponsors for the Indian cricket team over four years at INR 475 crore.
-
Merchandising: This involves selling jerseys, caps and other cricket-related items that bring in revenue for BCCI.
-
Ad Sales: Advertising during cricket matches especially in such popular tournaments as IPL marks another important source of revenue generation for BCCI.
-
Donations and Grants: Though not a major stream, BCCI accepts donations from various sources boosting its financial position further.
Read More: Helping India's Athletes: Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare Fund For Sportspersons
The Impact Of BCCI On Indian Cricket Team And Global Cricket
Within India and abroad, BCCI has made an enormous impact on cricket growth. Investment into infrastructure, promotion at the grassroots level as well as prestigious tournaments such as IPL have helped elevate India to be the number one country in world cricket. Its fiscal autonomy enables it to make independent decisions that enhance the welfare of sport and the stakeholders involved.
On top of that, BCCI’s role extends beyond India’s borders to representation in ICC where it plays a major chair role in shaping international policies towards the game.
Read More: Empowering Champions: Get Free Education for National and International Sports Stars
Conclusion
In overseeing and promoting the sport successfully in India, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) stands out as an exceptional organisation. Its governance role in cricket, revenue generation activities and impact on the world cricket policies is a clear testimony of their importance in sports. As one of the richest and most powerful boards in cricket, BCCI has continued to drive the growth and popularity of cricket in India and globally.
For any questions and queries, or if you wish for us to cover any particular topic, drop your comment on the Jagruk Bharat community page!
