BCCI formally recognises Indian Cricketers’ Association (ICA); open only to former men and women cricketers

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has approved the Indian Cricketers Association (ICA) which was formed earlier this month to look after the interest of the former players. The body was formed as per the board’s new constitution. However, ICA is not affiliated to the Federation of the International Cricketers’ Association (FICA). It is only open to the former men and women cricketers and not a current lot of the players.

The players’ associations in most countries look after all the cricketers and is the mediator between the cricket board and the players. But the BCCI has decided to give the green signal to the ICA only keeping in mind the well being of the former players who served the country before in the sport.

“The Board of Control for Cricket in India (“BCCI”) hereby formally recognises the Indian Cricketers’ Association (the “ICA”), a non-profit company limited by guarantee incorporated on July 5, 2019 under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013, as the official association for ex-cricketers in India,” the official BCCI notice read according to DNA.

ICA will function independent of BCCI

The ICA will be functioning independent of the BCCI’s functioning and will also have to generate its own funds. Having said that, the Indian cricket board will provide some initial help to them after which the ICA members will have to look after themselves.

Moreover, the BCCI has also cleared no other entity other than ICA will be recognised by the board as ex-cricketers’ association. “It is clarified that, until further notice of the BCCI, no entity other than the ICA will be accorded recognition by the BCCI as an association of ex-cricketers,” the notice added.

Three top former India cricketers Kapil Dev, Ajit Agarkar and Shantha Rangaswamy are the directors of the ICA. They will hold on to their respective positions until the elections are held.