Reports: Dhaka club organisers threaten boycott over proposed reforms in BCB constitution

Dhaka-based cricket clubs have expressed their strong opposition to the proposed constitutional amendments by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). The clubs, united under the Dhaka Cricket Club Organisers' Association, have threatened to withdraw from all Dhaka-based cricket leagues if their demands are not met.

The BCB recently formed a five-member reform committee to revise its constitution. The proposals included the dissolution of the Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis (CCDM), a reduction in the number of Dhaka-based directors from 12 to 4, and a significant cut in Category-2 councilors. These changes, according to the clubs, reduce their contributions to the development of cricket in the country.

Representatives from 67 of the 76 clubs under CCDM gathered to discuss their concerns, with all nine absent clubs voicing their support for the movement. The proposed amendments have triggered anger among club organisers, who see the changes as a deliberate attempt to diminish the influence of Dhaka clubs in the BCB.

Veteran organiser Rafiqul Islam Babu, leading the movement, criticised the proposed changes, describing them as an insult to the clubs' historical contributions to cricket development in Bangladesh. 

"What has been done is an insult to all our clubs, that is number one. This is a settled issue. At times, there may be a committee with a director system, including a president, vice president, and secretary. But the number of people, especially the contribution of our clubs to the Dhaka League, cricket development, and player production from the time of independence until now has been insulted in this proposed constitution. The number of board directors has been reduced from 12 to 4, and the number of councilors from 76 to 30. This is unacceptable. If they do not provide a valid answer to this, our clubs will refrain from playing until this is corrected," he said as quoted by Cricbuzz.

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Propose an increase in the number of representatives from Dhaka clubs: Rafiqul Islam Babu

The changes have particularly drawn outrage for sidelining the CCDM, which has been crucial in managing the Dhaka cricket leagues. Babu further emphasised the need to evaluate directors from other districts based on their cricketing activity and proposed increasing Dhaka club representatives to 15.

"What he has done has put everyone into controversy. If our clubs do not support his decisions, there's no reason for him to remain on the board. This is a logical demand. Based on that, we propose an increase in the number of representatives from Dhaka clubs to 15," he added.

Lutfur Rahman, another prominent organiser, warned that a failure to meet their demands by January 17 would lead to an indefinite boycott of cricket leagues.

"We've given them three days. If this process halts, our movement will be withdrawn. Until then, we will continue our movement," said Badal.