The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : ICL would be an ongoing process: Chandra

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Thursday, Sep 13, 2007
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ICL would be an ongoing process: Chandra

Special Correspondent

— Photo: S.R. Raghunathan

Man with a mission: Subhash Chandra addressing a press conference.

CHENNAI: Subhash Chandra, chairman, Zee Entertainment Enterprises, refuted the view that Indian Cricket League (ICL) would be a short-term venture, likening it to a constantly running television station.

“Once a station starts, it never stops, even for a second,” said Mr. Chandra, who revealed that an investment of Rs. 100 crore had been earmarked. "The same is the case with ICL. Any business we have started is an ongoing process. There’s no time limit.”

Mr. Chandra said the ICL was conceived because of a vacuum in domestic cricket, not because he felt spurned on being denied the BCCI’s television rights. "This was conceived two and a half years back," he said. "It has nothing to do with the television rights of the BCCI or any other board. In any sport, the domestic part is much bigger than the international part. But, that wasn’t how it was being run. It was vacant, and we decided to move in."

On the loaded question of Rohan Gavaskar joining when his father Sunil is expected to head the board’s Professional Cricket League, Mr. Chandra said, "Rohan is one of my 70 players. I’d like to say nothing beyond that.”

Asked if some of the talent was worth the money being spent, Mr. Chandra said, "The definition of big money is different for different people. You can say they were being underpaid earlier. They’re worth it. The system (of graded payment) will eventually evolve.”

Mr. Chandra said the “unprecedented support" ICL had received was because of "the feeling that it would open a lot more opportunities for youngsters.” The schedule of ICL’s inaugural tournament has been changed from the end of October to the middle of November.

The executive board said information on players signed and details of the tournament would be made known by the end of September.

The board also said Shoaib Akhtar had not been approached.

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