This isn't about Cricket

In a few hours from now, the verdict on presidency of the Mumbai Cricket Association shall be pronounced. A prominent politician is pitted against a cricketing legend. Over the last several months there has been much clamour for sportspersons to run sports bodies. This is misplaced and owes itself to the standard loathing for all things "sarkari" as opposed to any serious logic.

Indian cricket owes its current importance in the ICC to the likes of Jagmohan Dalmiya , an astute administrator but certainly not the world's best known cricketer. His absence of a cricketing track record was no impediment to his accomplishment as a sports administrator. And each time one is tempted to delve into corruption around sale of TV rights, IPL teams, CWG et al, think Match Fixing, Ball Tampering or even "the Hand of God". In an ideal world sportsmen are meant to uphold the values of fairplay and integrity. But bring in the dimension of commerce and they are often no different from politicians, bureaucrats or any other tribe the world loves to hate.

Internationally there are enough and more examples of successful sports federations like FIFA and International Olympic Association that are run by administrators with little or no sporting achievement. Some of these associations have often been the hegemony of a powerful personality for decades but rarely has the cause suffered. Wimbledon is organised with remarkable efficiency each year without Bjorn Borg or Pete Sampras being at the helm. There is no reason why Indian sport should be any different.

This applies to dimensions of sport apart from administration. Coaching and Commentary come immediately to mind. While we have some successful sportsmen excelling at both, there are enough and more examples to the contrary. For every Ravi Shastri and Geoffrey Boycott, we have a Harsha Bhogle or Henry Blofeld. These specialist commentrators have played cricket at some level but they shall seldom be referred to as "former cricketers".

Lastly, where shall Mohammed Azharuddin fit? Cricketer, Politician, Match-fixer or All of the above" ???