Sports Minister invites BCCI to register as NSF

Top BCCI officials, who have been at loggerheads with the ministry over the registration issue, met the sports minister here yesterday.

Maken said he had a good discussion with the board officials, who understood his point of view.

"I had a good discussion with the cricket board officials whom I advised to register the entity as a national sports federation. I welcomed them to come and register as NSF and leave all the acrimony behind.

"The meeting was held in a very cordial environment and both parties listened to each other`s concerns. They understood what I tried to say and hope this matter will get resolved soon," Maken told a press conference here.

BCCI president Shashank Manohar, secretary N Srininvasan, vice-presidents Arun Jaitely and Rajiv Shukla, and Indian Premier League (IPL) CEO Sundar Raman met the sports minister.

The Sports Ministry had de-recognised the BCCI last year as the apex cricket body in India following its refusal to register as a national sports federation. The board`s main contention was that since it doesn`t take any financial assistance from the ministry, it is not binding on them to follow the guidelines.

Following non-compliance of mandatory requirements, the government recently withdrew customs duty exemption on import of goods by the BCCI or bodies certified by it.

The ministry had informed the government that the BCCI has not complied with the mandatory requirements of submitting the necessary documents to the Government for annual recognition as a NSF.

Maken said he is hopeful of an early solution as the BCCI meets all other requirements of the ministry.

"All I can say is we will soon find the solution," he said.