‘Raising ex-players’ pension was tough’

Vadodara: “The raise in pension for former cricketers will cost BCCI less than two per cent of its annual expenditure but it will benefit hundreds,” said Anshuman Gaekwad, chairman of Indian Cricketers Association (ICA), who has been championing the cause demanding a raise for the past three years.
“It wasn’t easy. I had to get a lot of information on how much additional financial burden the pension raise will have on the BCCI and how it will benefit the retired players and match officials. I took up the matter in every apex council meeting as we had promised the raise in our election agenda,” Gaekwad, former India cricketer, told TOI.
He said there are many retired first-class players surviving on the pension amount. Many are in hand-to-mouth situation. This raise will directly benefit them.
BCCI president Sourav Ganguly said in a statement on Monday it is the duty of the board to be by the side of former cricketers once their playing days are over.
Currently, former first-class cricketers who played between 25 to 49 matches get Rs 15,000 monthly pension and it has been increased to Rs 30,000. Those getting pension of Rs 22,500 will now get Rs 45,000 and the ones with Rs 30,000 pension will receive Rs 52,500. The former cricketers with Rs 37,500 pension will now get Rs 60,000 and the ones with Rs 50,000 will be given Rs 70,000.
“This will cost the board an additional amount of just Rs 5-7 crore and considering the income of BCCI, this expense is negligible,” Gaekwad said and added that requests to increase the pension had been coming in as the last raise was given in 2014.
Gaekwad is set to retire from the ICA chairman’s as in September he will turn 70, which is the maximum age cap for holding the office-bearer’s post. “But before I leave, I have two more agendas on my list. Getting BCCI approval for pensions for widows of first-class cricketers and ex-cricketers who have played between 10 to 24 first-class matches,” he added.