INTRODUCTION

BVCI stands for one prime goal: that age is just a number. In a society where people are expected to start thinking of retirement at the age of forty and get a definite retirement by the age of sixty, BVCI starts the enrolment in teams from the age of forty. If you share a love of cricket the way we do, hop onto our nets, and start practising! After all, cricket is not a business but rather an emotion in our country. We have three age groups which will be our continued focus: 40+, 50+ and 60+ (golden squad). The association will welcome you with open arms if you fall under any age group and want to play cricket.

 

It is a common misnomer that sports stars must retire by thirty or max by thirty-five since the prime of their life is already past them. We say NO! As long as you are healthy and share the spirit of the game, the ground will welcome you with open arms. And we are not talking about domestic gully cricket amateurly played all across the country. At BVCI, you get trained for professional cricket, which ranges from domestic to international fixtures and the world cup.

 

To aid the cause of sports in India, the Government of India initiated the Fit India movement on August 29, 2022, to encourage people to live a healthy and fit life with a particular emphasis on including physical activities (to wit: sports) in their daily lives. Backed up by an innovative mobile app, this is a unique opportunity for individuals and organisations to undertake various efforts for the welfare of their own and fellow Indians.

 

In another phenomenal kick-off to increasing the sports culture in India, the then sports Minister of India, Col. (Retd.) Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore started the Khelo India Programme, a national initiative for the development of Sports nationwide and to improve the sports culture at the grassroots through organising various events. By adopting multiple means like talent search and development, Annual sports competitions in government schools and state-level centres and promotion of women lead teams, Khelo India Programme is rigorously working on improvising the sports culture in India.

 

Although initially thought of as coning down on a specific set of individuals, these initiatives became widespread health awareness programmes that helped spread awareness about lesser-known sports across the country and helped bring out players and talents that were otherwise with absolutely zero recognition. And this also helped get the veterans’ cricket the limelight it needed and boosted the morale of the players and the board involved in this.

 

All these initiatives significantly boosted the motive of the Board of Control for Veterans cricket in India, allowing us to be officially recognised as a sports body in India and conduct events on a larger scale.