National Sports Bill paves way for extended term
Former India all-rounder and 1983 World Cup winner Roger Binny, who turned 70 last month, will continue as president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) at least until its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in September.
According to multiple reports, the recently passed National Sports Bill has raised the maximum age for office bearers of National Sports Federations to 75 years, aligning with the fact that the International Cricket Council (ICC) has no specific age restrictions for officials.
If state unit members approve, Binny could legally serve until that limit — but his re-election is far from guaranteed.
“Roger will continue till board meeting in September. Whether he will get a fresh term depends on what members and other powerful people associated with the BCCI decide,” a BCCI source told PTI on the condition of anonymity.
Legal review and governance implications
While the BCCI will now fall under the ambit of the National Sports Bill, it remains exempt from the Right to Information (RTI) Act because it does not receive government grants. The board’s legal team is closely reviewing the fine print before making any formal decisions.
“The national sports bill has just been passed, so, we have some time to study it and engage in proper discussion before taking any decision,” the BCCI source told PTI.
The board is also preparing for broader discussions on the Bill’s implications, especially in light of cricket’s return to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
“There are other points to discuss in the bill for sure, and all the stakeholders, including senior players and coaching staff, will be consulted, particularly because cricket will be played at the 2028 Olympics,”
the source added.
Binny’s presidency so far
Binny took over as BCCI president in October 2022, succeeding former India captain Sourav Ganguly. His tenure has coincided with India’s preparations for major ICC events, continued commercial growth of the IPL, and expansion of women’s cricket pathways.
The question of whether he remains in the role beyond September will ultimately be decided not just by state unit votes, but also by the influence of senior administrators and other stakeholders within the BCCI’s power structure.
What’s next
The AGM later this year will determine the board’s leadership for the next phase. Until then, Binny will continue to oversee BCCI operations, with his potential reappointment serving as a test case for how the National Sports Bill reshapes cricket governance in India.
If the new age provision is embraced by members, the move could extend the careers of several high-ranking sports officials — but also fuel debates about leadership renewal in Indian cricket administration.
