Image Source: BCB
[Saba Sports News] On Sunday, March 31, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) made amendments to two clauses in their constitution during their Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2024. The amendments, proposed and unanimously passed by the board’s councillors, aimed to facilitate the launch of BCB TV.
These changes to the constitution enable the board to explore risk-free and profitable investment arrangements for financing cricket development activities. BCB TV will focus on promoting domestic cricket events like the Dhaka Premier League and broadcasting international assignments that may not attract other broadcasters.
BCB Chief Executive Nizamuddin Chowdhury explained that the idea behind BCB TV is to ensure that cricket matches involving Bangladesh, especially those abroad, are accessible to fans. They aim to telecast series that might not be commercially viable for other channels, fostering broader access to cricket for fans in Bangladesh.
“The concept of BCB TV came because we want to promote our domestic cricket…like if we can broadcast Dhaka Premier League and enhance the commercial value. This is one thing, another thing we have seen in the past – certain series that we play abroad do not attract broadcasters. Like when we are playing in New Zealand, there are few buyers to broadcast the series,” BCB chief executive shared.
“In recent times we have seen that we are playing in New Zealand but we cannot see that in Bangladesh and so what we are thinking is that if those rights are not sold we can communicate with the New Zealand board and try to telecast it. It will be the same case with others as well if we see that our countrymen are finding it hard to see our boys playing cricket with other international teams.”
BCB President Nazmul Hasan mentioned plans to fund six regional bodies to support regional cricket associations. However, he emphasized that central oversight will remain in place to ensure proper utilization of funds until the regional associations demonstrate independence and efficient management.
“First thing is that they (regional cricket associations) have to run a T20 tournament which will be on a test-case basis for the committees. They will be given 20 Lakh Taka and we’ll see how they are performing,” Nazmul told reporters following the AGM. “It will not be free of central interference. It will not happen until and unless we are satisfied that they will be able to run independently. Because we are giving the money in a test case basis and we will have to see how it is spent. We will not give it blindly, as I said, not every district gets money. Our intent obviously in the future is to work as an independent body. So it’s not decentralisation, rather de-concentration.”
Nazmul clarified that the funding to regional associations will be on a trial basis, with the associations being closely monitored to ensure responsible spending. The BCB’s goal is not immediate decentralization but rather a gradual transition toward greater autonomy for regional cricket bodies.