The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Players’ interests will be protected: Kapil Dev

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Mar 23, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Players’ interests will be protected: Kapil Dev

V. V. Subrahmanyam

Kapil Dev

HYDERABAD: Kapil Dev says when a movement is launched, someone is bound to suffer in the larger interests. And, this is what can happen as some of the international stars signed up with the Indian Cricket League, which is not recognised by the ICC in its latest decision, expressed concerns about the likelihood of even their English county contracts being terminated.

“We will take care of every aspect relating to the players. We will try our best to protect their interests for they have given the fillip to the ICL when it was still in its dormant stage,” Kapil, chairman of the Executive Board of ICL, remarked on the sidelines of the on-going Edelweiss 20s Challenge in the City.

Fans’ support

“We are not here begging for any recognition from anybody (referring to the ICC move). We will survive on the fans’ support. We continue to keep organising as many tournaments as possible. That is our first priority,” Kapil asserted. “And the question of seeking justice in the court of law doesn’t arise immediately and will be taken up only after thorough debate with our legal experts,” Kapil asserted.

“Let anyone complain that what Kapil is doing in the cricket field by way of ICL is wrong. Then, I will stop this show. When Indian Premier League can be granted official status, why ICL should be treated differently?” the former Indian captain asked.

Kapil came down heavily on the argument that the ICL was effectively reduced to retired cricketers. “If Sachin Tendulkar retires today and plays in the ICL, does it diminish his stature and ability as a cricketer? This is an illogical theory. Here, we look to the seniors to give something back to the sport. Can any child dare to ignore the parents just because they are seniors?” was his counter to another query.

Questioned whether it was a strategy to avoid tapping any Indian current cricketer, Kapil reminds these cricketers are playing plenty of cricket. “And, that is why we want to give all those who don’t get a chance to play with the best by way of this ICL. For me, both IPL and the ICL are the same as long as they serve the game and the country,” he explained.

The great cricketer signed off appealing for media and the crowd support for the ICL which he re-asserted, will keep growing from strength to strength.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh

News Update

Stories in this Section