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BCCI rewards former players with pension
BCCI as part of the platinum pension scheme recently remembered more than 100 former Indian test cricketers and umpires.
- NDTVSports
- Updated: February 25, 2007 09:06 AM IST
Read Time:2 min
Mumbai:
The Board of Cricket for Control in India (BCCI) as part of the platinum pension scheme recently remembered more than 100 former Indian test cricketers and umpires. The cheques were handed out at different centres across the country with Mumbai being one of the busiest centres with 27 of the 44 former players and umpires from the city present for the ceremony. "These were great players. Make no mistake about that and lets not be caught in the hype of the modern generation. They should thank television and the media for the exposure they get. That didn't exist with the players who played pre 70's or even as late as 1975 or 78. So I think they should get the respect they deserve and this is one way of showing that kind of respect," said Ravi Shastri, former test cricketer. "If you can increase the benefits it would be good. After the players stop playing their benefits stop and they're often begging for funds outside offices. The board should look after the retired players in a grading system so that the players are looked after well," said Mohinder Amarnath, former test cricketer. In an effort to provide for the country's former test cricketers, the BCCI has begun this pension scheme under which Rs 5,000 is to be paid a month to every retired test cricketer and umpire. Prior to 1980 there was very little cricket and not much money, just the pride of wearing an India cap and unlike today stadiums were packed with fans to watch the five-day games. Beginning made The BCCI says that this is the beginning and that they hope to improve on this scheme. "There would be some thinking on the working of the scheme as such. We have just implemented it. Maybe the board will take cognizance of the suggestions which have come today," said Prof Ratnakar Shetty, Joint Secretary, BCCI. This pension scheme is a beginning that the BCCI has made towards recognising and taking care of former cricketers. But there are still many points that the board has to work on such as perhaps introducing a scheme for domestic players and increasing the amount of pension for those who retired prior to 1975.Topics mentioned in this article
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