Clean up the pitch

However, this confrontation was based on a free agreement on the basis of rules, which in turn were observed completely. On account of its immense popularity and high visibility, sport is always used an an open window through which one could observe and learn those values which give meaning to life, to socio-economic principles, policies, strategies and inequalities.

The underlying principle had always been of honesty and kindred values. Overnight these principles have been eroded and destroyed by some of our cricketing fraternity.

Since time immemorial in our country we have heard of moral principles and their ultimate victory. Dharma is all, wrote Asoka on his stone edicts. Where have all these exhortations to remain on the straight and narrow8217; disappeared? It appears we have erred in this for some time now. People all over the world in the cricketing family have been diminished overnight by the monstrous chicanery perpetrated by our cricket administrators and players. More revela- tions will emerge in the weeks to come and more denials. They will take their toll of many a reputation. We have all heard of sport for sport8217;s sake, but these purveyors of deception have littered all the cricket pitches in the world with their spurious ware.

The spirit of tragedy could not have been more truly portrayed even by Euripedes. Medea, with all her vengefulness for Jason and his ilk, could not have so horridly destroyed her own kith and kin as did cricket administrators/players did their game. And for what an ephemeral Golden Fleece?

For almost four dec-ades I served in the police. I cannot recollect a single case in which fraud was perpetrated on such a huge scale. How will we console ourselves now? What we have witnessed is stranger than fiction. 8220;Virtually every match in international cricket is fixed in one form or the other,8221; says I.S. Bindra, an ex-president of the BCCI. In his youth, Bindra had done a stint with the police and had served in one of my battalions in the 1965 war. I know him well and find it difficult to disbelieve him.

Perhaps he should have revealed the goings-on of his board much earlier. There is a long list of presidents of this august body who may now have to explain away a lot. A charade is now being enacted with everybody trying to demonstrate their own personal and moral cleanliness. But no one is impressed.

Moments of epic change are rare in human history. Rarer still is the ability of the subjects of that history to recognise these moments even as they occur. We are currently witnessing just such an extraordinary moment. But history will never forgive us if we do not rise up to the challenge of this moment. We must get rid of the evil in our midst. It is fortunate that we have, at this moment, a dynamic sports minister Sukhdev Singh Dhin-dsa. He and his colleagues in government must address the issue urgently and decisively.

I had suggested to him a few weeks ago that the government take over cricket since the administration of this high visibility sport finds itself in a mess. He was noncommittal in his response and has now ordered a CBI inquiry in-to the imbroglio. I make this recommendation knowing fully well that accountability today is a rare phenomenon. But then there is no other organisation that can instil fear in the mind of the wrongdoer. A CBI inquiry is not an end in itself. Discreet and thorough inquiries will have to be made, regardless of the inhibitions created by various amnesties promised under diverse schemes for extracting black money. Many a reputation will take a tumble as result of such revelations.

I appeal to the sports minister again to actively consider taking over cricket, lock, stock and barrel. The Nawab of Pataudi, Arun Jaitley and Abbas Ali Baig, all of whom are associated with the game, could comprise a board8217; to administer this great game. The majority of old players who, in any case, are too old now, should be sacked and a new set up should emerge from the ashes of the old one. If I remember correctly, our junior team has already been classified as world champions. It now has to be protected from the current web of corruption and allowed to go from strength to strength.

This may be strong medicine but let us not forget that we are, today, at the cr-ossroads. What we do now will impinge on the sporting traditions of future generations. Many other sporting bodies also need disciplining and sturdy handling. Financial irregularities over the ha-ndling of donations, TV rights, sponsorships and ancillary funds meant for the promotion of sports, need honest handling. This is public money and accounting for it satisfactorily would need the government to step in. Public confidence has to be restored and preferably a law passed along the lines of what has been done in the United States, with the government enforcing strict rules for the efficient running of autonomous sport bodies.

Sport today has developed its own culture. It is a beautiful amalgam of physical activity, recreation and spectator fulfillment. Running, hitting, and hurling a ball, or other implements, have been an element of every civilisation. A culture indifferent to it and the physical and mental needs of the body would in effect be guilty of cutting off its own roots.

If the mind is not honest and healthy, the body too will be unhealthy and will, ultimately, wither away. We must not shrink away from our duty to set things right and do what is good for our country. The stakes are high. The government must take over cricket for some time at least. After its health is restored, it can be handed back to an autonomous body to carry on with cause of furthering the country8217;s favourite sport.

8212; The writer is a member of the International Olympic Committee