I suggest that the players should have the freedom to return or let the board know in turn who their share should go to. For example, a cash rich guy like Ravi Shastri can say that his share has to go to Padmakar Shivalkar. That will be ideal. It will make a lot of difference.
However, I admire the BCCI's move. Better late than never.
I don't agree with any of you people. While the truth about Azharuddin's misdeeds may never see the light of day, but his contribution to Indian cricket can never be ignored. The only player ever to make 3 centuries on debut, held the record for the fastest ODI century, one of the best fielder this country ever produced, elegance personified, and a great ambassador. His record of being India's most successful captain ever was only just surpassed by Ganguly. Many might think of him as having sold the game an the country in the latter part of his career, but here's a fact to consider: He scored a century in his last appearance, in an innings when hardly any of the other batsmen made it into their 30s.
Azhar has been punished enough by being banned from all forms of cricket. But such shabby treatment, and failure to acknowledge his contribution to Indian cricket is undeserving. You might have forgoten that it was just last month when the BCCI invited old Indian captains to Pakistan, but Azzu's name was conspicuously absent from that list of invitees.
The BCCi has flung mud on his face, ruining the rest of his life, surely they don't want this living legend to die a pauper.
Govt's decision to award pensions to retired Cricketers is welcome. But why Tendulkar & Ganguly who have not retired in the first place and also earn million on endorsements. The Govt should award pensions to REtired Cricketers like Chandu Borde, Eknath Solkar, Dilip Vengsarkar, Gundappa Vishwanath, Chandrashekhar, Prasanna, Bishen Singh Bedi, Ramakanth Desai, Abid Ali etc., for they had no chance to earn on endorsements during their peak period.
Further, Govt must also think of extending such pensions to Retired Sportsmen/women in other sports also. In fact, no present day Cricket player needs any pension. If he has been a good player, he gets money from MNCs & Indian companies on endorsements. If he is not good, he does not deserve pension i.e., he retired without putting minimum yrs of service (as in Govt service) It is for Govt to decide on this point.
Govt should clearly earmark a portion of the total collections from Tickets, Advertisements, Vendors, Endorsements and even from the money earned by the players, for the benefit of other unfortunate players who have not made a big name. Govt can make higher pension or lower pension, need base to each player.
