BCCI shouldn’t be in power brokers’ hands: Bombay HC

Observing that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) should be in “the hands of sportspersons and sports lovers”, the Bombay High Court today, while disposing of a public interest litigation (PIL), said the board “should not become a tool for musclemen, merchants or media barons and power-brokers”.

The PIL was filed against the election of Lalit Modi as a vice-president of the BCCI by a 71-year-old cricket-lover, Chandravardhan Parekh. Parekh contended that Modi couldn’t continue as vice-president as he was accused of “an offence involving moral turpitude”, having being found in possession of drugs, kidnapping and assault. (See box).

Asking the state to take note of the allegations made in the petition, the court said that the state cannot remain a “silent spectator to the power game” and would have to ultimately “use its power and authority to check the mismanagement and mal-administration” in the BCCI.

The court, however, did not wish to go into the aspect of whether or not Modi could be disqualified on that ground alone as there is a civil writ petition and arbitration proceedings filed in the Supreme Court and that the matter is sub-judice.

Declaring the PIL “maintainable”, the division bench of Chief Justice Swatanter Kumar and Justice S C Dharmadhikari said the board, which is in charge of enormous funds and is conferred with “drastic powers” to control, monitor, manage and administer the game, should have officers who are “persons of calibre and character” so as to not “shake the faith and trust of the cricket loving public and common man”.

The court said: “The board should not become a tool for musclemen, merchants or media barons and power-brokers”.

The court directed the BCCI to take care that “those involved in criminal cases not just relating to illegal drugs but other serious charges have no place in the administration”.

The High Court said the purity and sanctity of an electoral process should be preserved at all costs and “ought not to be fought on party lines... Elections ought to be conducted in the same spirit in which the game of cricket is played.”

Kapil tells fashion designers to work for ICL

Legendary all-rounder Kapil Dev was yesterday spotted at the 10th edition of the Wills India Fashion Week as it kicked off at a brand new venue of Pragati Maidan.

The former Indian captain was invited by Anjana Bhargav, one of the 40 designers showcasing their spring summer collection during the five-day event.

Kapil was so impressed by the works of the designers that he offered them to design outfits for the newly launched rebel Indian Cricket League, in which he is the Chairman of the Executive Board.

"I like everybody's work. In cricket comfort is very essential. If the clothes are good to look at and there is no restriction of movement that is fashion for me," he said.

"I would tell every designer to design for the the ICL. Every designer has talent. Every designer is different and has a niche segment," he added.

Kapil also drew similarity between designers and cricketers.

"There are so many designers and every designer has talent. Just like there are thouands of cricketers in the country who are waiting to play for the country, so also there are so many designers with so much of talent.

"This is like the World Cup Final," said Kapil, when asked to comment on the ongoing fashion extravaganza.

"This is the first day. Let me have a look around and let me study the fashion week. And perhaps by next year I would be able to make an informed judgement about the event.

PCB dropped charges after Shoaib threatened to join ICL

Disciplinary charges and penalties against Pakistan’s erratic pacer Shoaib Akhtar were recently dropped after the enigmatic speedster threatened to join the Indian Cricket League (ICL), sources revealed here.

Shoaib had left a training camp here last month without informing the manager even though the pacer claimed he had informed captain Shoaib Malik. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) subsequently fined him approximately $ 5,000 and docked points from his central contract. Shoaib appealed against the punishment and eventually a PCB appeal committee upheld his plea.

A well-placed source said that it was only after the pacer had threatened to join ICL that the committee decided to drop the charges against him.

The source also revealed that some other players are also been creating pressure on the Board, claiming they have multi-million dollar offers from the rebel Indian league.

Shoaib has already claimed that he had rejected an increased offer of close to $ 2 million to sign for three years in the league, while pacer Mohammad Asif put his offer figure at around $ 1.3 million with all-rounder Shahid Afridi also quoting similar figures. Most of these, however, are exaggerated, the source said.

“The figures being quoted by some Pakistani cricketers are inflated to a big extent. What I know is that approaches were made to some players to play in the league but no definite offers,” the source said. “The highest fee is being paid to former West Indian skipper, Brian Lara followed by Inzamam who is getting around $ 250,000 dollars for a season,” he said. He also disclosed that it was unrealistic to expect the ICL organisers and their main backer, Zee Telefilms, to pay such huge amounts to sign players.

Hall set to join ICL

South African Andrew Hall is set to join the Indian Cricket League after snapping ties with the national side following his omission from the Twenty 20 squad for the World Championship starting in the country next week.

It is understood that the 32-year-old all-rounder will join Nicky Boje and Lance Klusener, who were recently named to join the rebel outfit.

Hall has submitted a letter to Cricket South Africa on Friday about his international retirement.

South African Cricket Association CEO Tony Irish said he was completely surprised by the action of Hall.

"Usually, I'm aware of what a player's thinking and they consult me", said Irish.

"But this came out of the blue. I was told today by CSA about the resignation and immediately contacted Andrew. He made it clear to me that his decision was not up for debate. I told him that I was concerned about the way he had handled the matter and said I was disappointed with his attitude."

Hall has kept quiet on the issue, but media reports here indicate that he is "raving mad" about being left out of the Twenty20 squad.

Meanwhile, Jacques Kallis, who resigned from vice-captaincy after being dropped from the Twenty20 squad, is to hold another meeting with CSA CEO Gerald Majola on Tuesday about his availability for national duty.

Kallis met Majola in Johannesburg yesterday but details of the discussion have not been given.

A brief media statement said the two had "a good and positive" discussion and another meeting would be held on Tuesday.

"It was a good and positive meeting. Jacques has asked for a bit of time to think things over and we will have a follow-up meeting on Tuesday after which an appropriate statement will be issued", said Majola.

Kallis has already indicated that he remains fully committed to South African cricket and the Proteas.

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