Asian Championship: Decision can't be forced, says Uma Bharti

NEW DELHI, AUG. 20. India today said it will not be bullied into participating in the Asian Test Championship. Reacting strongly to a statement by the Asian Cricket Foundation president, Mr. Jagmohan Dalmiya, that India should convey its decision regarding participation by August 23 or the championship will go ahead without India, the Union Sports Minister, Ms. Uma Bharti, said a decision cannot be forced upon the Government.

Kisi ki dhamki se faisla nahin liya jayega (a decision will not be taken based merely on threats by someone), Ms. Bharti, who was here to inspect the upgradation work at the Shivaji Stadium, one of the venues for the November 3-11 Afro-Asian Games, said.

However, Ms. Bharti said since a decision had not been taken so far, it should not be construed that India has pulled out of the championship. ``A decision will be taken shortly. After all sports is not the only thing the Government has to think about. The country and its policies are of greater importance than sports,'' she said. The decision has to be taken by the Ministry of External Affairs, she said, adding ``I will convey it as soon as I get to know of it.''

The second Asian Test Championship is scheduled to start in Multan, Pakistan, on August 29 with the opener pitting the hosts against Bangladesh in what would be the first-ever Test between the two countries.

Ms. Bharti reiterated the statement made in the Lok Sabha this morning on Arjuna awards saying ``I think there is nothing wrong in the way the awards are given. There would be no change whatsoever in the selection procedure. I fail to understand why people compare the Arjuna award with the Padmashree or the Padma Bhushan or any other award for that matter. Each award has got its own sanctity...'', she said in response to the controversy kicked off by refusal of the Award for Lifetime Achievement by the `Flying Sikh', Mr. Milkha Singh.

- PTI

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