Agriculrue Minister named as BCCI Chief
Top most priority to bring transparency, says Pawar

KOLKATA—History was made Tuesday when Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar was elected President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) defeating incumbent Ranbir Singh Mahendra, his lawyer said.
“I don’t have the exact figures but Pawar has won,” Jagat Abidi told reporters after a board meeting here.
Newly-elected Cricket Board President Sharad Pawar on Tuesday promised to give top most priority to bring about transparency and harmony in the functioning of BCCI and adopting a professional approach in running the organisation.
Adressing his maiden press conference hours after being elected to the highest BCCI post, Pawar said people in India and abroad were anxious to know about the the Board.
“It is high time to bring professionalism in the functioning of the Board,” he said. Pawar promised to set up a media committee of the board apart from a media officer of the team.
“We deal with public at large, media and sponsors. It is our responsibility to keep very good relation with this cross section. We have to take a professional approach in day to day running of the Board,” Pawar said.
Pawar said the new committee will find a suitable sponsor for the team as the agreement with Sahara has already expired.
He said top most priority would also be given to implement a new contract of graded payement for the senior players.
The Union minister also said that the infrastructure at the Test and ODI centres should be of international standard.
On Dalmiya’s allegations that political and government pressure had led to his victory, Pawar said, “I have been in public life for 40 years. I have been heading the state Olympic Association for 30 years and some of my predecessors in the sport like Madhavrao Scindia and Ranbir Singh Mahendra were in politics, I don’t think political affiliations have coloured their functioning”.—Agencies