BCCI vs WADA is a heart vs head issue

A day after the BCCI backed its players with the whereabouts clause and refused to sign the dotted line, it has said that it will suggest to the cricket's apex body, the ICC, to give up on World Anti Doping Association (WADA) code of conduct for anti-doping and form one of its own for the member bodies to follow. This came on the day when the no solution could be found out to the contentious clause in the contract to be signed with WADA, which had said that the Indian cricketers needed to disclose their whereabouts on a daily basis, three months in advance.

The Indian cricketers had refused to sign the contract because they thought that this clause would compromise on their security and also breached their private life. The cricketers had agreed to getting their testing done during the ICC events like the World Cup or the Champions Trophy, or during bilateral events like a series against another team, or even during practice sessions, but they refused to give out the details of their whereabouts during the break.

The BCCI had proposed that instead of the contentious clause getting applied, the BCCI could be approached if the players had to be tested during the break period and the player could be made available within 24 hours of that; however, the proposal is said to be refused by the WADA, who say that no exemption of any sort will be provided to any of its member bodies.

BCCI chief, Shashank Manohar said, "We believe the clause with regard to whereabouts of cricketers is unreasonable for three reasons. Firstly, some Indian cricketers have security cover, and when you have a security cover, you cannot disclose your whereabouts to a third person. Secondly, the privacy of individuals cannot be invaded. Third, the constitution of India gives a guarantee to every citizen regarding his privacy which cannot be invaded. We can appreciate players being tested even when they are not playing. But if ICC or WADA want to test the players, they can inform the board which will get the players at the required location within 24 hours. This is our suggestion"

Earlier, there had been other cricketers from the other countries, who had expressed issues with the privacy, but then had had signed the dotted line before the deadline of 31st July. However, with the BCCI backing out, the FICA has said that other cricket boards will also want to follow suit and the ICC may have to think of alternatives. However, if the WADA-ICC deal does not go through, then it could mean that cricket will not be allowed as an Olympic sport by the WADA, and thus reducing the chances of spreading the game through the world.