Sports, along with entertainment and tourism, has been among the worst hit sectors by the worldwide pandemic with no end in sight yet. The global lock-down shut the doors on sporting contests leaving even the richest of institutions vulnerable.
Despite the economic difficulties created by the unprecedented closures, the Board of Control for Cricket in India has decided to stand by its players, not enforcing any pay-cuts to those holding annual contracts. Each players stands to earn seven and eight figure retainers whether they see any cricketing action or not.
Obviously it protects the players from taking a financial hit, though the fatter pay cheques from the Indian Premier League are good as gone. That leaves the fringe players in a bit of a tizzy but something completely beyond human control at the present moment.
Apart from the players themselves, there is an entire army of people whose livelihood is directly related to the conduct of cricket. Groundsmen must mow the grass and look after the pitches. Various other facilities need to be maintained in the practice and match areas for players as well as the spectator areas in readiness for sporting action to resume, however long it may take for the restarts.
Though cricket with packed stadia may not happen any time soon, the salaries need to be paid. And state associations on their own are hardly in a position to honour such commitments without generous contributions from the BCCI. Not that the board has been found wanting in loosening the purse strings, but more needs to be done when income has run completely dry.
Here is where the contracted players can pitch in big time!
The Indian Cricketers Association, led by former Test batsman Ashok Malhotra, has launched a fund to help former and current members in these troubled times. BCCI has made a fair contribution as have several former players! Current players too should not be holding back to help their less fortunate brethren.
In such critical moments, as the old saying goes, every rupee counts!
Despite the economic difficulties created by the unprecedented closures, the Board of Control for Cricket in India has decided to stand by its players, not enforcing any pay-cuts to those holding annual contracts. Each players stands to earn seven and eight figure retainers whether they see any cricketing action or not.
Obviously it protects the players from taking a financial hit, though the fatter pay cheques from the Indian Premier League are good as gone. That leaves the fringe players in a bit of a tizzy but something completely beyond human control at the present moment.
Apart from the players themselves, there is an entire army of people whose livelihood is directly related to the conduct of cricket. Groundsmen must mow the grass and look after the pitches. Various other facilities need to be maintained in the practice and match areas for players as well as the spectator areas in readiness for sporting action to resume, however long it may take for the restarts.
Though cricket with packed stadia may not happen any time soon, the salaries need to be paid. And state associations on their own are hardly in a position to honour such commitments without generous contributions from the BCCI. Not that the board has been found wanting in loosening the purse strings, but more needs to be done when income has run completely dry.
Here is where the contracted players can pitch in big time!
The Indian Cricketers Association, led by former Test batsman Ashok Malhotra, has launched a fund to help former and current members in these troubled times. BCCI has made a fair contribution as have several former players! Current players too should not be holding back to help their less fortunate brethren.
In such critical moments, as the old saying goes, every rupee counts!
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