Picture Credit: Twitter
In a recent development, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced an increase in the monthly pension of former cricketers (men & women) and match officials. Apex cricket governing body in the country made the announcement public on Tuesday evening as the BCCI secretary Jay Shah took to social media and informed that around 900 personnel will avail of this benefit and close to 75% of personnel will be beneficiaries of a 100% raise.
Taking to Twitter, Shah wrote, “I’m pleased to announce an increase in the monthly pension of former cricketers (men & women) and match officials. Around 900 personnel will avail of this benefit and close to 75% of personnel will be beneficiaries of a 100% raise.”
Notably, this has been one of the long-standing demands of the Indian Cricket Association, which represents Indian cricketers in the BCCI apex council. Other than the former players, match officials will also receive a raise.
Here is Jay Shah's tweet:
Other important demands of ICA include a pension for former players who have played less than 25 first-class matches and also a pension for women of former cricketers and women domestic cricketers. Earlier, the ICA brought the matter to BCCI's attention by stating that several Indian cricketers went through financial trouble after the Ranji Trophy was not held in 2020 for the first time in history due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Last year, former Test opener Anshuman Gaekwad, who represents the ICC in the BCCI apex council informed the media that he held a meeting with BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and discussed the subject. He specifically mentioned that pension for the widows and players with 25 FC matches should also be included.
Later, BCCI announced that domestic cricketers affected by the Covid-curtailed 2020-21 season will be paid a 50 per cent additional match fee as compensation for the disruption and also hiked their remuneration for the upcoming season.
“It is extremely important that the financial well-being of our former cricketers is taken care of. The players remain the lifeline and as a Board, it is our duty to be by their side once their playing days are over. The umpires have been unsung heroes and the BCCI truly values their contribution,” BCCI President Sourav Ganguly said as per the official release.