COA's proposed amendments to conflict of interest clause to open up options for former players

Former players could soon be allowed to perform multiple roles at the same time as the Committee of Administrators (CoA) has recommended amendments in the contentious conflict of interest clause in the Board's constitution.

In the existing constitution, no person can perform multiple cricketing roles at the same time and that has led to conflict of interest allegations against some of the biggest names in Indian cricket including Sourav Ganguly, who is all set to be elected BCCI president, VVS Laxman and Kapil Dev.

In its 11th and final status report submitted to Supreme Court on Monday, the CoA proposed amendments to Rule 38 in the BCCI constitution.

If the amendment is accepted, former players with less than two-year contracts with the BCCI or state associations, will be allowed to have multiple roles.

They will be allowed to join multiple committees like the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) and won't be barred from commentary stints.

"The COA, during its tenure, came across various instances where the rules pertaining to conflict of interest have been applied to positions and scenarios which in its view did not warrant such application," the CoA, which will cease to exist after BCCI elections on October 23, said in its report.

"Rule 38 (4) in absolute terms is worded in absolute terms and prohibits even former and current players who do not have long term contracts with the BCCI to hold other positions not only in the BCCI but within the entire cricketing ecosystem.

"A straightjacketed application of this rule will result in BCCI and Indian cricket losing valuable experience and expertise in the form of stalwarts and icons of cricket who are already engaged elsewhere not being able to engage with the BCCI and its members in cricketing roles."