NSC to wait for inquiry committee's report to decide BCB's fate

The National Sports Council (NSC) stated on Friday that it will decide the future of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) after receiving a report from a newly-formed five-member inquiry committee.

The NSC recently formed this committee to investigate the BCB election following widespread allegations about the electoral process. The committee has been asked to submit its report to the State Minister for Youth and Sports within 15 working days.

This announcement comes shortly after the NSC dissolved all ad-hoc committees functioning at Upazila, District, and Divisional Sports Associations. The NSC issued a directive on March 10 for new ad-hoc committees to be formed, revoking all previous committees and related directives.

NSC Executive Director Md Doulotuzzaman Khan stated the move was to enable fresh elections in these sports bodies, as the previous committees did not properly organize elections. The current government wants these organizations run by elected representatives.

The dissolution of the previous, Yunus-led government's ad-hoc committees has raised questions. These committees had backed the current BCB board, led by President Aminul Islam. Their revocation now points to potential scrutiny over the legality of BCB directors who joined the board from District and Divisional associations with the support of those now-dissolved committees. There are also existing allegations of bias and exclusion of seasoned organizers during the last BCB election, which prompted figures like Tamim Iqbal to withdraw their nominations.

According to the BCB constitution, 10 of its 25 directors are elected from Category 1, representing district and divisional sports associations. President Aminul Islam and nine others joined the board through this category.

Allegations suggest government influence was used to ensure ad-hoc committees selected councillors favorable to Aminul Islam's bid for the BCB presidency, as the president is elected by the board's 25 directors.

Doulotuzzaman said the NSC is awaiting the investigation committee's findings before making any final decision. He emphasized that the committee, headed by a retired judge, will provide recommendations based on laws and regulations.

The investigation committee, formed on March 11, is headed by Retired Supreme Court judge AKM Asaduzzaman. Other members include officials from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Dhaka Metropolitan Police, a sports journalist, and a Supreme Court advocate.

There is a significant possibility that the government could form an ad-hoc committee to run the BCB if the investigation committee finds irregularities. This committee would then determine the future course for managing the board.