Bob Woolmer's murder had sent shock waves across the cricketing fraternity...For past 10 years the cricket bookie has constantly haunted the people who love this game..The sport took a back-seat countless times as former & current players were punished in many ways for their involvements..However seemingly lack of strong action has really hampered the killing of the issue.
Why should a player/official/umpire be enticed for more money illegally...The common thought is that nobody would mind that "extra" money in their pocket...Most of the players of the top cricketing countries have contracts with their boards & are being looked after very well...In case of popular teams like India,the player makes a lot via advertisements & other promotions.Given all this why would anyone risk of all this along with name & fame ; fame to throw a match/lose for a bookie.
2 scenarios
a) he is threatened for his life
b) He feels his talent/effort are not being adequately compensated monetarily or otherwise...
In case of scenario a) , he/she has the comfort of law abiding agencies etc to provide him/her with enough security..One may argue ( ie if he/she watches a lot Bollywood movies :-)) is that he/she has been warned not to approach the police...However has there been any of the threats being actually carried out...Compliance to such threats only encourages them more.I know its easier said than done.Also one may argue that Woolmer probably had to give up his life coz he threatened to do just that...That again my friends is pure speculation & in case if that is true then we should be even more proud of that man as he stood for what he believed
In case of scenario b) It is a practical & economic problem..Such a situation doesn't arise in football for e.g .as players from remotest corners of the world get money ,fame & adulation as the biggest clubs in the world give them a chance to shine...In any case this system works as players play football as a profession ; Emotional attachments are also taken into account adequately..For e.g. Roy Keane played his whole career in Manchester United but eventually also played for his boyhood club Celtic.The understanding we get is that if a player is really good then he does geta chance to shine among the brightest stars...Even our own Baichung Bhutia would admit that Bury was the maximum peak he could go to showcase his talent abroad .
So if ICC is listening ,it should seriously consider corporates/rich aficionado to set up a comprehensive club structure...The best frame of reference could be the English County League..If such a structure was developed then the best of the players would make money throughout the season by playing for these clubs...A big effort though is needed as it would involve a massive change in the Cricketing Calendar...As number of international games would reduce dramatically....A good way to start would be have World Cups once in 4 years for One day internationals or Twenty 20s in future...Test Matches be restricted to 3 -4 tours per year among national teams & throughout the year teams can play for their clubs competing in one dayers & Twenty20 internationals...Wouldn't it be interesting to watch a Hero Honda Sponsored Mumbai side take on Lancashire regularly throughout the year...(The Zee league is a step forward but again if I am right ,PHL's popularity has been on the wane since the first year & surely the game needs big performers for it to draw an audience)
Why should a player/official/umpire be enticed for more money illegally...The common thought is that nobody would mind that "extra" money in their pocket...Most of the players of the top cricketing countries have contracts with their boards & are being looked after very well...In case of popular teams like India,the player makes a lot via advertisements & other promotions.Given all this why would anyone risk of all this along with name & fame ; fame to throw a match/lose for a bookie.
2 scenarios
a) he is threatened for his life
b) He feels his talent/effort are not being adequately compensated monetarily or otherwise...
In case of scenario a) , he/she has the comfort of law abiding agencies etc to provide him/her with enough security..One may argue ( ie if he/she watches a lot Bollywood movies :-)) is that he/she has been warned not to approach the police...However has there been any of the threats being actually carried out...Compliance to such threats only encourages them more.I know its easier said than done.Also one may argue that Woolmer probably had to give up his life coz he threatened to do just that...That again my friends is pure speculation & in case if that is true then we should be even more proud of that man as he stood for what he believed
In case of scenario b) It is a practical & economic problem..Such a situation doesn't arise in football for e.g .as players from remotest corners of the world get money ,fame & adulation as the biggest clubs in the world give them a chance to shine...In any case this system works as players play football as a profession ; Emotional attachments are also taken into account adequately..For e.g. Roy Keane played his whole career in Manchester United but eventually also played for his boyhood club Celtic.The understanding we get is that if a player is really good then he does geta chance to shine among the brightest stars...Even our own Baichung Bhutia would admit that Bury was the maximum peak he could go to showcase his talent abroad .
So if ICC is listening ,it should seriously consider corporates/rich aficionado to set up a comprehensive club structure...The best frame of reference could be the English County League..If such a structure was developed then the best of the players would make money throughout the season by playing for these clubs...A big effort though is needed as it would involve a massive change in the Cricketing Calendar...As number of international games would reduce dramatically....A good way to start would be have World Cups once in 4 years for One day internationals or Twenty 20s in future...Test Matches be restricted to 3 -4 tours per year among national teams & throughout the year teams can play for their clubs competing in one dayers & Twenty20 internationals...Wouldn't it be interesting to watch a Hero Honda Sponsored Mumbai side take on Lancashire regularly throughout the year...(The Zee league is a step forward but again if I am right ,PHL's popularity has been on the wane since the first year & surely the game needs big performers for it to draw an audience)
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