FICA’s big concern: Absence of players’ body in India, Pakistan

Kolkata, April 22

The absence of  players’ associations in India and Pakistan is a “big concern” for the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA) and the issue was discussed on the first day of the ICC five-day meeting, which began here on Sunday.

Formation of a players association is one of the recommendations made by the Supreme Court-appointed Lodha Committee as the whole idea is to give the cricketers “a voice to raise their concerns” while barring them from forming a “trade union of any sort”. “Unfortunately India and Pakistan do not have a functioning players association. It’s definitely a big concern. The Lodha Committee has already said about forming an association. We will speak to them when (will) they form an association. It’s up to the players in India,” a top FICA official said. “India is definitely a dominant force in cricket and as a result a number of people are following the sport. ICC consists of 12 full member countries. India dominates the decision making in ICC.”

That the Indian cricketers enjoy a lot of stardom and are powerful enough to bargain with BCCI on their own is one of the reasons cited for the delay in forming a players’ body. The first day of ICC conclave had a women’s cricket committee meeting and women’s cricket forum. 

The morning session was attended by India captain Mithali Raj as a special invitee. “She was asked whether she has encountered any instances of match-fixing. She said she hasn’t till date,” an ICC official said. — PTI