RCA to review SOPs issued by BCCI | Cricket News – Times of India

JAIPUR: Like many other state bodies, Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) too will have its work cut out when the executive committee meets next to discuss how and when they plan to implement the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) issued by the BCCI with regard to resumption of domestic cricket. Tough calls will have to be taken on those individuals over the age of 60 years and it includes coaches, statisticians and groundsmen.
RCA secretary Mahendra Sharma said that any concrete decision will be taken after they hold a meeting and get their doubts cleared from the BCCI on certain clauses in the SOP. “Barring 60-plus employees from participation in the training camps makes sense. But for instance if someone is fit enough to carry out his job and does not come into direct contact with the players, is it still mandatory to remove him from the system?” asked Sharma.
Among so many other names, chief curator of BCCI central zone Taposh Chatterjee’s job may also be in jeopardy. He is 63 years old. Fighting fit that he is, Chatterjee has been looking after the maintenance of the SMS Stadium and RCA Academy grounds and continued to do so even during the lockdown period that started from March 24. Following the Covid-19 safety protocols, his team of groundsmen has been working relentlessly to keep the grounds pruned and green.
“Individuals who are over the age of 60 years, i.e. support staff, umpires, ground staff, and those individuals with underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, lung diseases, weakened immunity, etc. should be considered vulnerable and are believed to have a higher risk of Covid-19. All such individuals should be discouraged from participating in the camp activities until suitable guidelines are issued by the government,” reads the SOP document issued on Sunday by the apex cricket body to the state units.
Former Rajasthan Under-19 coach Sharad Joshi, 66, feels ‘rules are rules’ and they can’t be overlooked, but the BCCI and RCA must come with an alternate plan to engage 60 plus staffers or pay them pension. “There has to be some concrete reasoning behind discontinuing the services of a 60 plus person. If he is fit and gets clearance from the chief medical officer, then why not? Or involve us in some way for instance as a mentor, as a selector, or as a part of the advisory committee, so that our experience does not go waste. There are also those who will find it tough to run families if overnight their jobs are taken away and for that pension policy must be introduced,” argued Joshi who has played 25 first-class matches for Rajasthan.
RCA will hold the meeting after August 6, added the RCA secretary.