BCCI officials don't need COA approval to call SGM: Rai

In a significant statement, the head of Board of Control for Cricket in India's Committee of Administrators (COA) Vinod Rai on Thursday made it clear that the BCCI officials don't need their approval to convene a Special General Meeting (SGM).

"They (BCCI officials) don't need COA approval to call the Special General Meeting but yes they have to keep us in the loop. Also the decisions taken a the SGM do not need any ratification of COA per se but if there is any deviation from the Supreme Court diktat, the COA steps in," Rai said after the Indian Premier League's Governing Council meeting in New Delhi.

Asked if the SGM will be held as per schedule on April 9, Rai said that no decision has been taken in this regard.

It was Rajeev Shukla who chaired the Governing Council meeting and Rai said that he continues to remain the IPL chairman.

"Mr Shukla is not disqualified as per Supreme Court order. Also the earlier governing council exists. It was Mr Shukla who chaired the meeting," Rai clarified.

When asked if he anticipated a walk out by a few officials from the meeting as reported by the media, Rai simply laughed and replied:"It's

all in the mind of the media."

Shukla also said that there was no bitterness felt during the meeting.

"The discussions with the COA happened in a cordial atmosphere. We all want IPL 10 to be successful. We have taken a host of decisions for this edition of IPL. Mumbai gets a play-off as their last year's play off was shifted due to draught," he said.

Among the IPL GC members, P V Shetty, Sourav Ganguly, CK Khanna, Aniruddh Chaudhary were present in person. Amitabh Chaudhary attended via tele conference while Jyotiraditya Scindia didn't show up. MP Pandove is disqualified from GC as he is above 70 years.

Shukla also informed that five legends of Indian cricket will be felicitated on the day of IPL opening ceremony.

"They are Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, V V S Laxman, Rahul Dravid and Virender Sehwag," he said.

Another key decision taken was to give a one time ex-gratia payment to a former women India international, which will be presented at each individual player's home IPL venue.

"Diana (Edulji) made a request that players who are getting one time benefit should be paid at their respective IPL centres during the match," an IPL GC member said.