Meet Ruchir Modi, President of Alwar Cricket Association

Ruchir ModiAt 23 Ruchir Modi is on the board of directors of Modi Enterprises K K Modi Group and Godfrey Phillips India Ltd He is also president of Alwar Cricket Association since 2016 Son to Lalit Modi the Board of Cricket Control in Indias bugbear Ruchir dived into the turbulent waters of cricket administration undeterred by controversy that surrounded his fathers firing from the post of Indian Premier League IPL chairman on charges of misappropriation of funds From being the mastermind of IPL in 2008 who lured corporate money and the best Test cricket talent to 2010 when he fled to England citing threats to his safety his journey is the stuff of film scripts In 2013 he was banned for life by the BCCIOn a Mumbai visit where Ruchir has family business interests he meets midday to talk big money in cricket and why he chose cricket administration despite his fathers fall from graceExcerpts from the interviewYou are at the top of the family owned business at 23 Has the time come for younger CEOs and directorsI dont think age has anything to do with managing key areas of an organisation What matters is the upbringing and environment you were brought up in My generation is quick to grasp and deliver effective results there is a lot of potential and dynamism in todays youth The likes of Lalit Modi Elon Musk Steve Jobs and Henry Ford have inspired meYou schooled in Mumbai before taking off to London Now its a life between Mumbai London Delhi and RajasthanTravelling is inevitable for me with the multiple hats I wear In Mumbai I am currently looking into three businesses In New Delhi we have family businesses again In the UAE we run our international business division In the UK and Europe I have investments across sectors But I am most passionate about a Mexican restaurant launched in a joint venture with my sister and one of Londons renowned restaurateurs PeyotitoYou contested and won the presidency to the Alwar District Cricket Association Why get into cricket administrationThe journey of contesting and winning the presidency was quite an experience and achievement Stepping into cricket administration was my decision alone I have attended numerous general body and organisational meetings of the IPL and that I believe left me with indepth knowledge about the game and team managementLalit Modi Sharad Pawar and Mukesh Ambani share a laugh on during the 2010 DLF Indian Premier League T20 group stage match between Mumbai Indians and Deccan Chargers played at Brabourne Stadium in AprilHow much did your fathers IPL idea inspire youI witnessed its creation He was committed towards bringing enhancement and innovation to cricket even before the IPL I dont think anybody else has dedicated their entire life to the game and created one of the worlds most successful sporting leagues He was filled with energy I dont believe there is another cricket or a sports administrator with his passion and ability to deliverWhat do you think of the current IPLIt will always be something that puts India on the map It draws talent from every corner of the country and the world Its first three years marked its ability to last a lifetime Valuations of teams rose 6x which is unprecedented in history Interest in the IPL will continue to increase as teams establish themselves in their regions and through their iconic players fan following strengthensBut no matter how strong the brand is the management and its ability to defer has seriously lacked since 2010 My father created the IPL as a package of cricket and entertainment Today you remove the latter and all you have is cricket the excitement is gone Dont get me wrong this new avatar also appeals to some but not to everyone especially not the youthThat being said the IPL isnt going anywhereLalit Modi with Actress Shilpa Shetty PicsGetty ImagesFormer cricketers say fixing is inevitable because the format is about clubs not country The loyalty factor is compromisedAs far as fixing is concerned nobody knows the the truth It should not deter professional cricketers from giving their best and not shortchanging the game that has given them so muchIts accused of crass commercialization Critics say cricket has sold its soul Its about tamasha and not about techniqueIf you look at the teams that eventually win the IPL title they are the ones with skilled bowlers and batsmen who also play Test cricket as well as the abridged version of the gameYou cant neglect what value IPL holds for the future of Indian cricket It has generated an incredible fan following and transformed the way cricket is played Not only has it provided business to the corporates it has also fuelled the masses with employment opportunities It brought a whole new spectator base to the game women and youthThe BCCI says that the Rajasthan Cricket Association RCA is banned because Lalit Modi still holds a post in the Nagaur District Cricket Association which is part of the RCA Would you like to commentBCCIs stand is legally untenable You cant punish a whole state association because the person leading it is unacceptable to some My father stood for the right cause thats why he was a hindrance for those with vested interests I am hopeful of an amicable resolution to the issueDidnt his bitter experience with the BCCI deter you from trying your hand at cricket administrationThe Board had been tremendously unfair to him Nevertheless I have learnt a lot from this experience Instead of being deterred it made me more resolute to prove my mettle while carrying on his legacyWhy doesnt he return to India Although he has warned against terming him a fugitive everyone believes he fled IndiaHe had his reasons for leaving India It was not easy to be here at the time he left I know the circumstances in which he left the country It was in his best interest One day he is going to overcome all this