BCCI Apex Council meeting to discuss Team India's Asian Games participation - Report

The Asian Games will be played in China's Hangzhou from September 23 to October 8.

The Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) Apex Council meeting, which is anticipated to occur on July 7 (Friday), will cover significant topics such as the participation of Indian teams in the Asian Games, sponsorship, and media rights.

The subject is listed as Item No. 4 on the agenda, however, the location and timing of the meeting have not yet been determined. The men's team will be a reserve group if India decides to compete in the Asia Games because the main side will be preoccupied with the 50-over World Cup in India around that time. The women's squad, on the other hand, will be fully staffed.

The Asian Games will be held in Hangzhou in China from September 23 to October 8, while the ICC World Cup will take place from October 5 to November 19.

When cricket was a component of the Asian Games in 2010 and 2014, India did not enter a team. Cricket has been added to the schedule for the Hangzhou Games, which were originally scheduled for last year but were postponed due to COVID after being excluded from the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta.

The BCCI is also lobbying for cricket to be included in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, therefore it is very possible that India would send teams to the Asian Games this time. In 2022, the Indian women's squad competed in the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

BCCI to discuss media rights and main Team India sponsorship

Sponsorship and media rights will be on the meeting's agenda as well. Following the exit of Ed-Tech company BYJU, the BCCI had previously announced the release of an invitation to tender for national team lead sponsor rights.

The Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Tournament's playing conditions will also be discussed by BCCI. The Impact Player Rule is reportedly expected to be discussed at the conference.

Here is the complete list of agenda for the BCCI Apex Council meeting:

1) Policy for retired players to participate in overseas T20 leagues

2) Playing conditions in Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Tournament with impact player rule

3) Update on Sponsorship, BYJU'S, and Media Rights for BCCI

4) Discussion on Tour Package Operator for ICC World Cup 23

5) Discussion on stadium upgradation/renovation for the World Cup

6) Approval of Player contracts for the Indian men's and women's teams.