BCCI must be accountable: Sarbananda Sonowal

Speaking to reporters at a felicitation function for medal-winning archers at the recent world championships in Denmark, the minister said the BCCI needed to be brought under the Right to Information Act. “Let me be very clear...I have been saying time and again that as per the observation of the Supreme Court of India, BCCI is a public body.

“Now it is the expectation of sports lovers of the country that transparency and accountability should be there in the day-to-day affairs of all sports federations,” he said.

The BCCI has long held that it is a private entity as it takes no government funding. The Supreme Court, however, recently ruled that it was a public body and that its actions were open to judicial review.

Meanwhile, the sports minister assured that the government will provide all possible assistance to the athletes who have qualified for next year’s Rio Olympics. He hoped that the Indian archers will finish on the podium in the Rio Games. “Now we are looking forward to the greatest event (Olympics). We are hopeful that this time we will get some medals from archery,” he said. “It is a proud moment for all of us whoever has qualified (for Olympics). My ministry is always there to help them out.”

Four Indian archers have qualified for the Rio Olympics after securing a top eight finish in their respective events. The Indian women’s recurve team comprising Deepika Kumari, Laxmirani Majhi and Rimil Buriuly have secured a quota place in the women’s section by winning a sliver medal at the just-concluded World Archery Championships.

Another Indian archer Mangal Singh Champia have also qualified for the men’s individual recurve event by obtaining one of the eight Olympic berths available in the same tournament.