PCB media rights: Suddle files plea to make deals transparent

He says he is being pressurised from certain circles in administration but he is not succumbing to the pressure.

LAHORE:

Major (retd) Nadeem Suddle, who challenged the “undemocratic attitude” in the running of Pakistan Cricket Board’s affairs, has decided to open new front in his fight against the board and has filed an application for making the sale of media rights of two series transparent.

He said that he was being pressurised from certain circles in the administration after he had filed an application in the Islamabad High Court. However, he said, he did not succumb to the pressure and now there was no question of withdrawal.

He said rumours being spread about him were designed to lower his motivation but he was not bowing to any of such pressures.

He said that he has made these decisions and taken these steps in the larger interest of cricket.

“I have been told that my actions can make running of the board affairs difficult but I said that I have acted against unconstitutional activities only,” he added.

He also said that the team belongs to the nation and there should be no hindrance in its affairs or its participation in the international matches, but making big decisions was the mandate of a chairman who has gained the authority to work on the post through votes of the regions.

He said that the elections on regional and district levels be held as the court has ordered. He said that making any biased decision about the assignment of media rights would not be easy and that Najam Sethi has already been warned against any decision that could raise questions on his character.

He said that in the application he also raised the point that Sethi should refrain from any decision that could benefit a party that has affiliation with him.

Meanwhile, PCB has claimed that Najam Sethi has no influence in the sale of media rights to any party and the process of the sale will remain transparent.

PCB General Manager Media Nadeem Sarwar said that tenders have been issued for the telecast rights of the next two series and the decision will be made by an impartial committee. He said that there was no room for any suspicions whatsoever in this regard.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 18^th, 2013.