New Delhi: "Is there more room for politics in sports," asked the Supreme Court today (Sep 30, 2004) when the Cricket Board argued that Government control over sports would make politics enter the sporting arena.

The question by Justice N Santosh Hegde, heading a five-judge Bench hearing a petition filed by Zee TV on cricket telecast row, had everyone present in the court room breaking into a laughter amidst serious arguments advanced by the parties.

And the question appeared most timely after the nation witnessed the election drama for the post of president of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) at Kolkata yesterday (Sep 29, 2004).

Venugopal, in the course of his arguments on behalf of the Board, said sports was not part of the Governmental functions and it would be a very sad day for the country when the Government takes over sports.

"This will result in politics entering the sporting arena," he said and added "If Government takes over BCCI, selection of players, umpires and venues of matches, it will be a very bad day for cricket in the country."

"Is the field of sports not already politicised," the Bench asked and said, "More appropriately the question should be - is there more room for politics in sports?"