The Hindu : BCCI chief to meet minister, officials

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Mar 24, 2002

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Sport - Cricket

BCCI chief to meet minister, officials
By Our Special Correspondent

KOLKATA, MARCH 23. In an attempt to escape the wrath of international cricketing community from isolating India, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president, Mr. Jagmohan Dalmiya, would initiate dialogue with the Union government soon on resumption of cricketing ties with Pakistan.

The BCCI chief, who met the press here on Saturday, said India's continued refusal to play Pakistan came up for discussion at the Executive Board of the International Cricket Council (ICC) meeting at Cape Town.

``The England and Wales Cricket Board suggested isolation of India for refusing to play Pakistan repeatedly while New Zealand proposed hefty financial penalty,'' Mr. Dalmiya informed.

``The Chairman of the ECB, Lord Ian MacLaurin questioned the rationale behind the Indian government allowing sporting ties in all other discipline but not cricket that too above under-19 level. Obviously I could not offer a plausible defence to this argument but managed to wriggle out of any time frame being imposed on India,'' the Board president informed.

He said the Executive Board had proposed to have a ten-year programme for all the 10 Test-playing nations with a clause of $2 million fine if any country failed to fulfill its commitment. ``India impressed upon the rest of the Board members to add the `force majeure' clause in the agreement so that India would not be subjected to monetary fines in case the Union government failed to give permission. This was accepted by all,'' Mr. Dalmiya said.

The South African board even suggested to the Indian board that it would explore the chances of Mr. Nelson Mandela taking up the issue with the Indian government on resumption of ties with Pakistan. ``I told the South African board that I cannot comment on their offer,'' he said.

Mr. Dalmiya said he would first meet the government officials and, if need be, call an emergency meeting of the Board to discuss the matter.

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