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Saber plans strategically
****In the last third and last part oj our interview series on Bangladesh's current position as a potential Test nation. Dally Star Sport caught up with Bangladesh Cricket Board(BCB) President Saber Hossain Chow-dhury(SH).
A proven organiser. Saber has over the years played a laudable role in enhancing the image of Bangladesh cricket at world stage. As Bangladesh edges ever closer to Test status, the BCB supremo gives his independent opinion on some important topics via internet.****
****(flic tbilu Sport has met three top-notch cricket organisers of the country in a bid to know their opinion about some burning issues that need to be addressed immediately. Their views have been appearing in the Star Sport in phases. We want our knowledgeable readers to let the organisers know about their observations on the betterment of the game. We therefore request you (readers) to contribute your views, advise and criticisms by just sending a write-up or an e-mail to dss-portsubdonl ine.com.
—Star Sport****
DSS: The whole country is bubbling with excitement over the possibility of Test status. For some reason, if we do not get It in near future, what sort of impact do you think it will have on the development of cricket in Bangladesh?
SH: Implicit in your question is the assumption that Bangladesh being granted Test Status in June of this year is a formality only. 1 believe we still have a ’ long way to go and should not take anything for granted. The report of the ICC Inspection Sub-Committee will be routed through the Cricket Committee Playing to the Executive Board and it will be for the Board to make Its final recommendation to the Council. 1 would however be less than honest if I said I would not be deeply disappointed if we fail to obtain the status this year as this may actually not only set Bangladesh cricket but also the globalisation initiative of ICC back. 1 firmly believe it is not just a matter of Bangladesh seeking to become the tenth Test playing nation - world cricket also desperately,needs to embrace and welcome 130 million people into its fold.
DSS: Is Bangladesh ready to meet the challenges of fest cricket?
SH: Our performance in first class cricket over the past sLx months against the full West Indies Test side. England A and the MCC. where we more than held our own. would strongly indicate that we are as ready for Test Cricket as we as an Associate Member will ever be. I am not for one moment suggesting that we will initially be winning all our matches but I do believe that we can compete and perform with honour and distinction as the newest member at Test level.
DSS: How prepared is the BCB?
SH: A Strategic Development Plan, which also incorporates a mission statement, to ensure that BCB is able to develop the game and meet the challenges of a competitive and increasingly
demanding operating environment. has just been formulated and should be in motion In the immediate future.
DSS: The BCB does not haw a single permanent cricket ground. Will it not hamper our prospects?
SH: We have already Identified three venues in Bangladesh for Test matches and these have been inspected and approved by the ICC Inspection Sub-Committee. 1 do acknowledge however that grounds are a major resource constraint for us and this will become even more so both from a national level as well as Club cricket point of
moment. There have also been unconfirmed reports that the Council has suggested specific guidelines for the BCB to run professionally. Is the BCB planning on becoming a professional organisation?
SH: As a member of ICC’s Executive Board, let me toll you in clear and categorical terms that
view when we enter the Test fold since Test venues cannot sustain the same level of activity and number of matches.
DSS: Critics claim that the Board has given a false impression to the ICC inspection team about the existing infrastructure of our cricket. What is your answer to that criticism?
SH: I welcome and encourage objective and constructive criticism but I have no wish to lend credibility and respectability to so-called critics by attempting to answer questions based on immature and baseless reasoning.
DSS: It s being heard that the ICC is not pleased by the way the BCB is functioning at the
it is neither ICC policy to intervene in domestic and internal affairs of its members nor does it hand out prescriptions on what is to be done. With regard to plans for the Board, we must move with the times and be well positioned and capable of responding and adapting to the needs of the day.
DSS: If you do go professional. what sort of changes would you like to bring in? Will you be favouring a’ major changes in the Board’s structure or just shuffle personalities?
SH: Although the most unchangeable aspect of change is change itself. 1 do not believe in change for the sake of change. I have never been in favour of
cosmetic changes and playing musical chairs with positions. What wc must understand Is that the system or structure of the Board should in reality be linked to our aims, targets and objectives. First we have to define in crystal clear terms where we currently are. what our objectives are and where we want to be. Then only can we consider what structure or system we require to help us get there and realise our aims and targets. This is precisely the reason for formulating and putting into motion the Strategic Development Plan that I referred to earlier.
DSS: Your general secretary wants a small but effective setup in the Board that includes three paid executives. Do you agree with his opinion? (If you endorse his view) Do you think that the trio would be able to work Independently under the existing constitution of the Board?
SH: Same response as above
DSS: Local cricketers In recent times have gone for movements to press their various demands. Do you consider players' movement as a positive sign for our cricket?
SH: I have all along strongly advocated the need for commitment. support and active involvement of cricket s many stakeholders in developing the game. The internal relationship Between two of the important stakeholders - players and organisers - must be based and founded on mutual appreciation, respect and trust for each other. The Impasse that we witnessed earlier in the season was a part of our "growing up" process and hopenilly has made us all more alive, alert and sensitive to the fact that all the stakeholders of cricket must work together to move the game of cricket forward.
DSS: Time and again you have said that the national player's would be brought under the Board's payroll. Your plan is yet to see the light. When do you expect the contract to be signed?
SH: I see this as being a fundamental, critical and essential step for Bangladesh cricket. We have finalised a draft of the contract based on formats adopted by Full Members and hopefully the contracts could be signed by June this year.
DSS: Many feel we should get rid of club cricket culture in national interest. But the Dhaka clubs call all the shots in our cricket and players also earn their livings playing for them. How do you plan to solve this problem'?
SH: The first point 1 wish to make is that it is the Clubs who have patronised, nurtured and developed Bangladesh cricket and brought it to Its present level and I see them playing an Important role in further growth and development of the game in this country. At the same time. I would differentiate between First Class Cricket and Club Cricket and I see these two forms of cricket as being complementary and supportive to the overall growth of the game at the national level The Strategic Development Plan addresses this issue.
DSS: Your Board is very reluctant to discuss its financial matters. The once-affluent organisation is said to be struggling with acute fund crisis. Tlie lack of transparency in the Board has led to many a speculation of fund embezzlement and. How do you look at the serious allegation?
SH: At a time when we are growing the game and our expenses and commitments are increasing constantly as a result. it is quite natural to be tight on cash flow. Our objective is certainly not to be affluent by sitting pretty on cash reserves and not undertaking development initiatives - as may have been policy of past Board administrations - but rather it is to push hard and drive the development process further. Being able to work and keep cool under cash flow pressures is the real test of management. We have worked out some plans and 1 am confident that over the next few months not only will we be able to tide over the present difficulties, we will also be making arrangements that will keep generating increased revenues for BCB tor the future. As far as transparency on our financial matters is concerned, during the tenure of this Board we have for the first time since the Board came into being, had rigorous management and external audits carried out and the report findings do not at all support the speculation you refer to.
DSS: The great West Indian Gordon Greenidge had quite an idle stint with our cricket due to the improper planning of the Board. Which way is his successor Eddie Barlow moving?
SH: I do not wish to be drawn into comparisons. Gordon Greenidge was associated with our cricket for a period of time and I wish him well. Eddie shares the vision of the Board and believes in it also. He is a professional with a deep sense of commitment and responsibility and I am of the opinion that the BCB and Director of Development is already working well as a team to usher in an exciting phase for Bangladesh cricket.
DSS: Thank you very much for your co-operation.