BCCI wants Dhoni, other players to declare interest

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The Board of Control for Cricket in India ( BCCI) is apparently taking the cricketers' clash of interest issue seriously. Every player will henceforth have to declare his interest, if any, in any sports management company.

India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni got mired in the a controversy when it came to light that he owned a 15 per cent stake in Rhiti Sports, a sports management firm which also manages India players Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja and Pragyan Ojha.

In 2010, Dhoni signed a three-year deal, reportedly worth Rs 210 crore with Rhiti Sports, the costliest deal in Indian cricket. The firm later claimed that the Indian captain had been a shareholder for a brief period only, and has no stakes currently. Jagmohan Dalmiya — after taking charge as the interim president — had promised to look into the matter after the Champions Trophy.

Spelling out the Board's stance on the issue after Sunday's Working Committee meeting here, Dalmiya said: "Many have been asking me what happened to that (Dhoni) issue... I have always said that nothing will be swept under the carpet. We discussed the issue today and decided to change our mode of working. We don't believe in going after any particular player. All the players will now have to declare their interests, if any, in any sports management companies," he said.

On the basis of players' information, the Board will try to guide them on how to go about their contracts. "We will try to help the players and suggest changes in their contracts with the firms if we feel some parts may lead to conflict of interest," he stated.

Dalmiya said the Board will discuss the matter with the Indian players when there is a gap in the international calendar.

Asked about Delhi pacer Pradeep Sangwan, who failed a random dope test conducted during IPL 6, Dalmiya said, "BCCI will follow procedures as per their anti-doping code."

He also informed that the contract for coaches and support staff of special academies has been renewed for another year.

Regarding the board's anti-corruption unit (ACU) probe into spot-fixing allegations, Dalmiya said the process was delayed because one of the prime accused in the case — Ajit Chandila could not be interrogated since he is still in jail. "We will wait for some more time as ACU chief Ravi Sawani is on leave now due to his son's marriage," he said.

Three Rajashtan Royals cricketers — S Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan, were arrested on May 16 on spot-fixing charges. Sreesanth and Ankeet were later released on bail.


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