BCCI and ICL at daggers drawn

Dubai: The Indian Cricket League (ICL) has decided to challenge the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and are even prepared to go to court to protect the rights of the players who have been threathened with a ban for playing in the league.

Sharad Pawar, the BCCI president earlier warned that cricketers who will play in this rebel league series would be not be allowed to play for India.

Elaborating on Pawar's statement the BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah revealed that any player, young or old, who aligns himself with the ICL would be banned for life.

"It is an unfortunate decision by the BCCI but we will go ahead with our plans," an ICL spokesperson told Gulf News via email.

The stage is now set for a huge battle between the BCCI and ICL and would put to test the powers of the body that controls the game in India.

The ICL has sought legal advise.

According the feed back from the ICL legal experts, "Pawar's threat to stop players from representing the country cannot be implemented due to the fact that as per the government records the BCCI is a private body and that no private body can stop a citizen from representing his country."

A court battle could lead to a situation where the BCCI may not be able to name their teams as India in international tournaments if they ban Indians from playing for the country.

The BCCI could have taken action if their body is a government organisation with representatives of the government in the body. Right now only the Indian government has the right to ban a player from representing the country.

As per the rules no private body can take such a decision.

Under these circumstances, if the BCCI bans any player that player could get re-instated with the help of the court. The ICL, knowing that they would have to face a lot of legal hassles on the way, has an excellent team of legal experts to back the players.

Former Indian captain Kapil Dev, who is the chairman of the ICL has hit out at the BCCI.

"I feel sorry for the BCCI if they feel threatened by the ICL. The ICL has been formed to look for talent in the country," Kapil commented.

Cracking the whip

The BCCI is to meet in two week's time to remove Kapil from the position of Chairman of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and also to stop his monthly pension.

When Pawar was asked whether he would take action against Kapil Dev, the BCCI chief said: "A person who retired from the game is a free citizen of the country. He has got every right to take a decision about himself."

Pawar also went on to state that "BCCI gave Kapil the position in the NCA but it looks like he is busy with other activities. Reacting to the comment, Kapil said: "Pawar is a senior politician and has an important ministry. Does he have time for cricket? I can also say about him what he said about me."

I completely support Kapil and the ICL for their efforts in injecting fresh new talent in the game of cricket.
RD
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: August 05, 2007, 14:44

Sharad Pawar has no interest whatsoever in the development of the gentlemen's sport (cricket) at heart. Go the Indian Cricket League. After all, cricket is the winner.
Rajesh
Bombay,India
Posted: August 05, 2007, 14:38

I really don't understand the concept of the BCCI of banning the players participating in the ICL, young or old. If someone is doing good for cricket by taking an initiative in spotting young talent and training them, I don't understand what the problem is for the BCCI.
Ramu
Hyderabad,India
Posted: August 05, 2007, 14:36

Shame. Now the true picture of the BCCI comes in front of people. They are scared about the ICL as they are not genuine. Sharad Pawar has no right to comment on Kapil. Kapil has dedicated himself for the welfare of cricket in India. But Mr. Pawar is a power lover.
Trilochan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 05, 2007, 14:19

Sports should be kept away from Indian Politics; all officials should be non-political people.
Baldev
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: August 05, 2007, 12:06

I think Mr. Pawar should be banned from the BCCI rather then the players as Mr. Pawar is not able to handle his ministry properly, so many farmers are dying in country but he keeps busy in the BCCI. So my support goes to Kapil and the ICL.
Naresh
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 05, 2007, 11:36

I believe the BCCI should be thankful to the ICL, because they are searching the talent in young players and it would make the selectors job easy. But the reality is the BCCI is not getting any profit (financially) from it, that's the reason they oppose.
Mansoor
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 05, 2007, 11:14

The BCCI through its action over the years has proved that it cannot uphold the name of the country. The body is riddled with corruption and nepotism whereby young talents are stopped or discouraged from entering the big money game.
Jose
Al Ain,UAE
Posted: August 05, 2007, 11:01

It is clear that the BCCI is scared of the ICL. When something good happens for cricket, why does the BCCI have to react in this manner? It's wonderful for Indian cricket that the ICL has organised such games. The BCCI has got no right to stop players from joining it.
Rohan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 05, 2007, 10:35

If the Board president and former senior cricketer fight among themselves, cricket will not improve in India. What about young cricketers who are watching?
Sridhar
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 05, 2007, 10:16

Indian cricket hell of politics. Kapil took a bold move, let him go ahead, it will give a positive side to the Indian cricket.
Mohamed
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 05, 2007, 09:19

I really don't understand the concept of BCCI of banning the players participating in the ICL, young or old. If someone is doing good for cricket by taking an initiative in spotting young talent and training them, I don't understand what?s the problem for BCCI.
Jetroy
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 05, 2007, 08:44

I think BCCI should not react too much to a tournament which ICL say will look out for young talent around the country. BCCI should act tough on players who do not play to their potential for our country. BCCI also should remember that Kapil Dev had served the country and we should be proud of him instead of imposing a ban on him. What have Mr. Pawar and his associates done for India other than making money?
Satish
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 05, 2007, 08:32