More facts after ICC meeting: Bindra

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, APRIL 19. The former Board President, Mr. I.S. Bindra, announced on Wednesday that he would not speak on the ongoing match-fixing controversy until a specific period. And, yet, he could not restrain himself from making a few statements.

``I have, on matured reconsideration and on the advice of my well wishers at the level of national and international cricket, decided not to make any further statement in the matter before anyone in the ardent hope that I shall be heard by the administrators,'' he said in a statement released at a press conference here.

For those who would have expected a few sensational revelations, this must have come as a surprise, but more surprising was the manner in which he named a senior Board official as being involved in the current controversy.

Looking far from his normal self, a little dazed and palpably under severe mental stress, Mr. Bindra warned the questioners about the legal implications before naming the Board official.

His reluctance to elaborate on some of the charges he had made in recent days, after having convened the press conference at short notice, came as a surprise. On several occasions he said that he would be prepared to come out with more facts and figures after May 2, when the ICC has convened a meeting in London. Mr. Bindra also talked about being privy to information which no one else had. But he evaded most of the questions relating to match- fixing.

``I have made a solemn commitment to Shri N.K.P. Salve (former Board President), whom I consider as a father figure and profoundly respect for his contribution to international and Indian cricket, that I have not ever indulged in any activity or made any statement as would be prejudicial to the interest of international cricket, Indian cricket or the Indian Board to aggrandise my personal interest. This would be against the very grain of my commitment,'' his statement read.

Obviously hurt at being ignored for the Board's meeting with the ICC chief on match-fixing in Calcutta on Tuesday, Mr. Bindra said he continued to support the supreme cricket body in India. ``After the Hansie Cronje episode, I made several statements with all sincerity to the print and electronic media. It is unfortunate that a section of the people have imputed motives to my statements and accused me of wanting to settle personal account at the cost of cricket by bringing Indian Board into ignominy,'' Mr. Bindra clarified.

``The Indian Board must continue to be managed by its democratically elected representatives in a manner as would restore its glory and honour. I would never want Indian Board to be taken over by any one, whosoever. This is my commitment in this hour of peril of the Board and the game. I hope and pray that the officials of Indian Board act with fortitude, courage and honesty keeping in mind the nature of practical problems and difficulties they are presently facing. Total transparency and willingness to expose oneself for accountability is the need of the hour for the Board and the Board officials, the same also applies to ICC and its officials,'' the statement stated.

Describing the Board as the best sports body in the world, Mr. Bindra said ``I am totally committed to cricket as such in general, Indian cricket and Indian Board in particular. Whatever efforts I have made are motivated by the consideration of bringing cricket and the Board unscathed from its present predicament.''

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