Despite BCCI’s claims that it hasn’t adopted a retaliatory stance against the ICC regarding the signing of the WADA-contract, it may not be long before the guns get trained on the apex body; if not from all, then at least from some of the sides. For the umpteenth time, whether for the right reasons or otherwise, the BCCI finds itself embroiled in a controversy in the ICC, which not only threatens to divide the cricketing world, but also make them look like a rebellious maverick who wants everything going his way.

This time around though, the BCCI may not have got it all wrong though.

First, the problem. WADA stands for the World Anti Doping Association and as the name suggests, it looks after the issues surrounding doping and the likes. To have WADA monitor the players or the athletes, the top body of that particular sport – in this case, cricket – needs to be a part of WADA, which the ICC is. This also means that all the players associated with the ICC through the respective cricket boards need to sign up an agreement with WADA, which includes a contentious clause – according to the players – that requires the players to declare their whereabouts for one hour a day, for the next three months from the time the dotted line is signed! This clause has not gone down too well to many of the players, and the BCCI has said it in as many words that they support the players’ cause!

The issue some of the cricketers have with declaring their ‘whereabouts’ is that it not only infringes on their privacy, but also allows for a scope of a compromise on their security; BCCI going up to the extent of calling it unconstitutional according to the laws of the country.

Having followed the sport from very close quarters, I can see where the cricketers are coming from. Despite the fact that the revelations will be made known to only a couple of WADA officials, and another ICC official or two, any kind of leak in this information could lead to serious ramifications. Imagine the news of Sachin Tendulkar being available on a Sunday afternoon at a restaurant in the city becoming public knowledge, and I am sure one will also be able to imagine the repercussions; the hordes of fans making their way to that place would probably be as unmatched his overall international record.

But that by itself is only a small percentage of the real problem. Players of the likes of Tendulkar and M.S. Dhoni have been threatened by some of the terrorist organisations with their lives, and if there is even half a percent possibility of a possible leak, the Indian players aren’t too off the mark with their demands. What, in fact, surprises me no ends, is something different.

It is not as if these hazards are the sole proprietary of Indian cricketers only; there are other names, as colossal as the aforementioned who could run into similar difficulties if the details of their locations did escape the lock and key of the WADA. Some, like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have already had a grouse or two, but reluctantly signed it away, and the FIFA has had their own version of the contract signed up. So, why hasn’t someone retaliated and gone up to the extent that the BCCI or the Indian cricketers have gone to, is startling.

For now though, it does look like the standoff is here to stay, and till the ICC and WADA can get things resolved, the chances of cricket going on to become a truly global sport and remain on the Asian Games calendar for the ones in China next year, look rather bleak.

Suneer CMDN.com, Suneer Chowdhary speaks... BCCI, India, m.s.dhoni, Sachin Tendulkar, WADA