SCA disappointed with Government's decision

By Our Sports Reporter

HYDERABAD, APRIL 6. ``We are surprised Singapore has been clubbed with Sharjah and Toronto (in the Union Sports Ministry's ban on non- regular venues),'' said Anil Kalaver, honorary secretary, Singapore Cricket Association (SCA) in a chat with The Hindu on Thursday. ``Unlike the others, the SCA is an associate member of the International Cricket Council (ICC), a founder member of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and a fully recognised body in the game,'' he averred.

``We are terribly disappointed by this decision and we fail to understand what Singapore has done,'' Kalaver said. ``At a time when we were hoping to finalise the 2001 triangular series involving India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, the Indian Government's ban has come as a bolt from the blue,'' he stated.

He's nonetheless confident that the ban on Singapore would be lifted and India allowed to play in the island nation in September. Cricket diplomacy could strengthen business relations between the two countries, he said. ``Tournaments conducted in Singapore aim at generating interest for the game in the region and to finance the development of cricket there,'' he said.

Singapore comes under the Indian umbrella and it looked up to India as a big brother, he added. Former Test off- spinner Shivlal Yadav was sent to Singapore for a six week period to promote the game in 1996, the year in which the first triangular tournament involving India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka was staged.

Since that event failed to raise enough funds for the host body, the Singapore Cricket Association was given land to develop a cricket playing facility of its own, he said. Last year the President of Singapore was the chief guest.

Kalaver feared the ban could severely affect the ACC's development programme. He said at the ACC's recent meeting in Kolkata, it was decided that Test playing countries would send their under 19 and other squads to associate member countries and vice-versa to give the fledgling sides international exposure. Finally, he asked, ``Will this ban affect these teams too.''

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