Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday said bringing the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) under the ambit of National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) is one of the biggest achievements for Indian sports as the "rule of law is equal" for every game.

The BCCI was earlier this month forced to come under NADA's ambit. The landmark development has opened up the possibility of the cricket board becoming a National Sports Federation (NSF) as per government norms. Asked whether it was one of the biggest achievements for Indian sports, he responded in the affirmative.

"Definitely," he said.

"It's a big achievement for sports with fair and equitable treatment, the rule of law, for me every game and every player is equal in the country."

READ: BCCI Finally Comes Under NADA, Officially Becomes National Sports Federation

Transparency in BCCI functioning through RTI

The Sports Minister also asserted that the BCCI is the governing body of cricket and cricket is also a sport. Hence, all sports laws and provisions in the country are applicable to it. The implication of BCCI coming under NADA is huge as the country's richest sporting body is now under tremendous pressure to fall under the government's Right to Information (RTI) Act.

"It was a natural course of action and it's good that it happened, otherwise it would sound little vague that only one game is outside the ambit of the rules of the sport," he added.

The BCCI has been refusing to come under Right to Information (RTI), claiming that it is not a NSF as it doesn't take any grant from the government. But the sports minister said it is just a matter of time before the BCCI comes under the RTI. Rijiju also questioned about how the BCCI is receiving funds. 

"BCCI's argument itself is without any basis. Money belongs to the country. How does money comes to a sport? From people only, people watch TV, people pay for tickets or through advertisements, it is people's money.

BCCI Under NADA: Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju Welcomes Move, Terms It "major Positive Turn"

Rijiju insisted that the organization should function in a transparent and accountable manner, keeping apart the question of cricket or any specific federation. Rijiju also said that the National Sports Code is key to good governance in sports and the government is soon going to come up with a robust code.

"The National Sports Code is very important law which will govern the sports administration in this country. We must have a system. If you want to have a robust sports culture in the country then you must have a robust system also. A robust sports code or rule or guideline has to be there," he said.

"I think very soon we should be able to come out with a very clear cut sports code which would be an improved version of the earlier code." 

 

Kiren Rijiju also visited the National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) and met senior laboratory scientists. The Sports Minister also ensured that the NDTL works as per international standards. Watch Rijiju's tweet here:

READ: IOA Blames NADA For Dope Test Lab Suspension, Massive Fight Breaks Out

Earlier on August 10, Kiren Rijiju has showed his support for BCCI's decision to come under the ambit of National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), terming it a major step towards clean and transparent governance in sports. Having stalled the ministry's near decade long attempts to bring BCCI under the NADA fold, the Board finally made a move that could have far-reaching implications in the near future. Rijiju termed the development as a major positive turn of events. The BCCI didn't come under NADA all this while as they feared that their autonomy would get hurt. The leading cricketers under their aegis had also protested about the contentious 'Whereabouts Clause' related to Out Of Competition (OOC) testing, fearing that their privacy would be compromised.
 

The BCCI agreed to come under the ambit of the National Anti-Doping Agency on August 9. The landmark decision makes Indian cricket's governing body a sports federation as per government norms despite being financially autonomous. Sports Secretary Radheshyam Jhulaniya, who along with NADA DG Navin Agarwal met BCCI CEO Rahul Johri along with the Board's GM (Cricket Operations) Saba Karim said that the Board has given in writing that it would adhere to the anti-doping policy of NADA.

"All cricketers will now be tested by NADA," Jhulaniya said.

READ: NADA To Start Testing Players During Duleep Games, BCCI Wants Only Doctors As DCOs

BCCI designated as a National Sports Federation

The implication of this development is expected to be massive as BCCI now becomes a designated National Sports Federation (NSF) and will face more pressure to come under the government's Right To Information (RTI) Act.