To be first BCCI Patron-in-Chief?

Finally, the Board of Control for Cricket in India BCCI may have come across the winning formula to perpetuate the reign of its current pr...

Finally, the Board of Control for Cricket in India BCCI may have come across the winning formula to perpetuate the reign of its current president. For the first time in its 75-year history, it could have a Patron-In-Chief: a proposal in the pipeline seeks to instal Jagmohan Dalmiya in the post once his three-year term as president ends in September.

And they won8217;t even have to change the BCCI constitution, because Clause 8 of the BCCI8217;s Memorandum Rules and Regulations says it in black and white: 8216;8216;The Board may invite in its discretion distinguished persons to be Patron-in-Chief or Patrons of the Board.8217;8217;

Even better, the clause does not define any powers for the patron. So the Board can make them up as they go along.

The move is being spearheaded by the Assam Cricket Association. 8216;8216;It was necessary because of Dalmiya8217;s contribution to cricket8217;8217;, ACA secretary Bikash Baruah told The Indian Express from Guwahati. 8216;8216;Our proposal has already been sent to all state associations and most have been very positive about it.8217;8217;

Speculation surrounding Dalmiya8217;s future role has been doing the round for some time now, ever since it became apparent that the man who controls Indian cricket 8212; and has reshaped it over the past decade 8212; was nearing the end of his term.

The idea is to give him a position so that he can be India8217;s permanent representative at the International Cricket Council. The final seal of approval would however be obtained at a Special General Meeting which would be held in the first week of September.

The Patron clause has never been invoked in the history of the BCCI, but it is a safe bet for most because it would involve no change in the constitution. There was some talk about a chairman8217;s post being created for Dalmiya, Baruah said, adding that the idea was dropped as there was no provision for it in the Constitution.

Story continues below this ad

If it does work out Dalmiya would soon be 8216;on par8217; with Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe and Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf.

Waiting to hear from the players: Dalmiya

MUMBAI:

According to Jagmohan Dalmiya, the delay in implementing the players8217; contracts is because of the players. 8216;8216;The players are discussing about a few clauses. On our side too we have been discussing, but we have no problem,8217;8217; he said. Dalmiya said that the BCCI wants to implement the contract system as soon as possible, adding, 8216;8216;I have set no deadline for the implementation. It is not like we have to implement this today or tomorrow.8217;8217; BCCI office-bearers 8212; speaking after the meeting 8212; insisted the players should restrict themselves to the 8216;8216;framework already decided8217;8217;. 8212; ENS