KOLKATA: The
Standard Operating Procedure
(SOP) issued by
BCCI to state associations caught
Cricket Association of Bengal
(
CAB) on the back-foot. Among the many guidelines, the 100-page-long
SOP
‘discourages’ support staff, officials and ground staff over 60 years from attending training camps until “suitable guidelines are issued by the government”.
Going by it, Bengal senior team coach
Arun Lal, who turned 65 on Saturday, might not have been able to continue in his position this season.
However, the CAB feels it is premature to think of any alternative at this stage as the season is likely to start in late November only after the IPL. “Since commencement of sports activities in the state have not been allowed yet, and since there is a considerable amount of time left for domestic cricket to start, no decision pertaining to change of support staff are being considered at present,” a CAB release, quoting president Avishek Dalmiya, said on Monday.
“The SOP itself mentioned that the guidelines may be amended from time to time depending on the existing Covid-19 situation,” it added.
Lal was instrumental in taking Bengal to Ranji Trophy final last season and has been credited with bringing in a major change in the dressing room atmosphere. Lal, a cancer survivor, is known to be a fighter and has inculcated that spirit in the Bengal squad after taking charge last season. He put emphasis on fitness and the Bengal players had to clear the Yo-Yo test to be selected. The CAB had given him complete freedom in planning for the upcoming season, before the Covid-19 pandemic struck.
“I am ready to carry on, but it’s for the CAB to decide on the issue,” Lal said on Monday. Reluctant to talk about the SOP, Lal appeared irked by the particular cut-off age. “Going by this, someone at 59 can coach and will not be affected by Covid-19, but just a year older will be disqualified even if he is fitter than those way younger,” Lal, who always believed age is just a number, said. The former Bengal skipper often walks around 7km back home after practice at Eden Gardens.
As far as coaching is concerned, the CAB feels Lal can guide the boys on online platforms till the situation improves.
However, CAB curator Sujan Mukherjee, at 65, too comes under this guideline and his service might also come under scanner.
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