Sri Lanka league to go ahead without India
Sports minister admits board will lose money without Indian stars.
COLOMBO:
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) will push ahead with its inaugural premier league with Australian and Pakistani players but a no-show by Indian cricketers.
The country’s sports minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage announced the decision while admitting that absence of Indian stars will be a financial blow.
Fast-bowlers Praveen Kumar and Munaf Patel were among 12 Indian players who were blocked by the BCCI from playing in the Twenty20 tournament in Sri Lanka that takes place from July 19 to August 4.
The minister said the Indian board’s reluctance stemmed from media reports that the event was being organised by a Singapore-based company with alleged links to Lalit Modi.
“Mr Modi isn’t involved in our tournament,” he said. “But we accept India’s decision and remain friends.”
The Somerset Entertainment Ventures has already reportedly paid an advance of $300,000 to the SLC.
According to Sri Lanka’s Sunday Times, India’s reluctance has led to broadcaster ESPN withdrawing support for the tournament.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 27th, 2011.
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) will push ahead with its inaugural premier league with Australian and Pakistani players but a no-show by Indian cricketers.
The country’s sports minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage announced the decision while admitting that absence of Indian stars will be a financial blow.
Fast-bowlers Praveen Kumar and Munaf Patel were among 12 Indian players who were blocked by the BCCI from playing in the Twenty20 tournament in Sri Lanka that takes place from July 19 to August 4.
The minister said the Indian board’s reluctance stemmed from media reports that the event was being organised by a Singapore-based company with alleged links to Lalit Modi.
“Mr Modi isn’t involved in our tournament,” he said. “But we accept India’s decision and remain friends.”
The Somerset Entertainment Ventures has already reportedly paid an advance of $300,000 to the SLC.
According to Sri Lanka’s Sunday Times, India’s reluctance has led to broadcaster ESPN withdrawing support for the tournament.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 27th, 2011.