Newly-elected BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur says it is important to improve cricket's image in the country which took a severe beating due to spot fixing scandals in the IPL
BCCI's newly-elected Secretary Anurag Thakur addresses the media after the Annual General Meeting in Chennai yesterday
Chennai: Newly-elected Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Anurag Thakur yesterday said the cricket Board's priority is to restore people's faith and improve the game's image in the country.
BCCI's newly-elected Secretary Anurag Thakur addresses the media after the Annual General Meeting in Chennai yesterday. Pic/PTI
Veteran administrator Jagmohan Dalmiya was yesterday unanimously elected President of the BCCI, but the N Srinivasan camp suffered a setback when Thakur, considered close to the rival Sharad Pawar faction, beat Sanjay Patel for the post of Secretary at the Annual General Meeting.
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Committed
"Every member of the BCCI is committed towards the betterment of the game. I can assure everyone that we will take all necessary steps to strengthen the board, strengthen cricket and take cricket to new heights," said Thakur.
Asked whether it was Srinivasan's victory or Dalmiya's, Thakur said, "I think it is the victory of cricket. Our utmost priority is to restore the confidence of the people in cricket and to work on the image of cricket and the Board.
Scale new heights
"I personally feel the members of the Board will join to work in that direction, especially to reach the new heights in the field of cricket." If he had contested in the elections because he wanted to clean the image of the Board, 40-year-old administrator said: "I think the message is very loud and clear that all of us as the members of the BCCI are keen to work together and change the image or restore the faith of people in the game of cricket."
There are usually two ICC meetings, one attended by presidents of each boards and chief executives. But the BCCI has still nominated Srinivasan and not Dalmiya. When Thakur was asked about the decision, he said: "This decision has been taken for the next six months till the next AGM takes place".
Unanimous choice
"There is an ongoing process...many committee members who are a part of various committees and still have six to seven months to go for the next AGM, which is due in the month of September. "So all of us agreed to continue with that process, so that the working of the Board is not affected by the change in the committee," said Thakur.
You think Dalmiya will be able to act independently, he said: "Why not? He has been in the board for more than last 30 years, so I don't see any reason. He is being elected unanimously."
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