The Women’s Cricket Association of India (WCAI) is banking on a meeting between ICC chief Ehsan Mani and BCCI officials for approval of the long-awaited merger plans of the two bodies.‘‘I met Mani in South Africa and explained our position to him’’, Shubhangi Kulkarni, WCAI honorary secretary, said today. ‘‘He understood the situation and has promised to talk to BCCI officials about it.’’Kulkarni was speaking at a media gathering to greet the national cricket team that had finished runners-up in the World Cup in South Africa, losing to Australia in Sunday’s final. It was the first-ever Asian team to figure in a women’s World Cup final. While most other national women’s cricket boards have already merged in various parts of the world, the issue is held up in India for want of the BCCI’s okay. ‘‘We have got an extension of one year from ICC to complete the merger with the BCCI’’, added Kulkarni.How will a merger improve things? Sudha Shah, the coach of the Indian team, said the difference was felt in South Africa. ‘‘Teams representing countries where the associations have merged appeared better prepared and technically superior’’, she said. ‘‘It certainly helps in terms of infrastructure and better facilities. If we have one organisation we can benefit greatly from their (BCCI) experience.’’Indian captain Mithali Raj said a merger would boost the image of women’s cricket in general. ‘‘It will bring the kind of professionalism that we lack at present. The BCCI’s expertise in the overall development of the game will also help women’s cricket at all levels.’’Is the merger only for the money? ‘‘I don’t think so’’, said Kulkarni. ‘‘We’ve always been on our own, we’ve even organised the World Cup in 1997, so it’s definitely not just a money issue. On the contrary we feel women’s cricket is a product by itself and what we need is to sell it with better packaging, which is where the BCCI can certainly help.’’ But the money would help, said star batswoman Anjum Chopra. ‘‘It’s good to have a financially sound body to support the game. What we currently lack is an organisation that can fund the women’s game and take it to the grassroots level. The merger will be good for that.’’
