BCCI going through turbulent times, says President Shashank Manohar

BCCI President Shashank Manohar (left) and Secretary Anurag Thakur vow to clean up India’s image

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Shashank Manohar has stated that the Board is going through a difficult phase. He has made a fervent appeal to the Board's members ahead of its 86th annual genral meeting to lend their support to a few decisions. According to Manohar, the decisions are necessary to protect the autonomy of the Board during its tough times.

"My second term as the President is more challenging as the Board is passing through turbulent times. It is necessary for all the members to support certain decisions which are required to be taken to protect the interest of the Board in maintaining its autonomy," Manohar wrote in its annual report.

The president referred to the 2013 Indian Premier League (IPL) spot-fix scandal that resulted in the Supreme Court forming the Justice Mudgal Committee to probe it.

"The BCCI needs to improve its efficiency and transparency in governance and a great deal of accountability is required from the members as to how the BCCI funds are used," he wrote.

The Board has started sharing all information regarding rules and regulations on the BCCI website. He mentioned this is the first step in the cleaning up operation to signal more transparency.

He emphasised that certain changes in the system were required to restore the cricket lovers' faith.

"I seek your support to bring about certain amendments in the rules and regulations, frame rules of conflict of interest, frame rules for accreditation for Player Managers. I have to request you to make best endeavours to work towards eradicating corruption from the game of cricket at the state level and assist the BCCI in its efforts to restore the faith of the cricket loving public in cricket," Manohar wrote.

BCCI plans to launch coaching website and take cricket to the grass root level

BCCI secretary, Anurag Thakur wrote in his annual secretary's report that the Board had gone through circumstances which put off last year’s AGM "several times." It was finally held on March 2, 2015.

Thakur mentioned that the National Cricket Academy Committee "has also embarked on launching a coaching website and coaching applications for smart phones so that BCCI can take cricket to the grass root level in a real sense."

Reference has also been made in his report about engaging the media more in improving the image of the Board.

"We have made a sincere effort to engage the print and electronic media to help build the image of the BCCI. There is regular flow of information and news, and relations with the media are structured in a spirit of partnership and professionalism. At the same time, BCCI presence on social media platforms is being significantly strengthened to connect directly with fans," his report said.