The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : I am not a quitter: Charu Sharma

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, May 08, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Sport

Sport - Cricket

I am not a quitter: Charu Sharma

Principal Correspondent

Bangalore: As the Royal Challengers Bangalore team struggles to find its feet in the DLF Indian Premier League, controversy mires the sudden exit of its earlier Chief Executive Officer Charu Sharma.

Late on Tuesday night, Royal Challengers Sports Pvt. Ltd., the promoters of the team in a terse press release stated that ‘Charu Sharma had quit citing personal reasons’ and added that Brijesh Patel would be the new CEO.

Now the pitch has been queered with Charu Sharma, through a media release on Wednesday, categorically stating that he had not resigned and that he indeed was ‘fired’.

The following is an excerpt from his statement:

“I wish to maintain a dignified silence. However, I feel the need to offer this clarification. I am not a quitter, especially when the chips are down. Despite the sudden demise of my father at the start of the IPL, I chose to give all my time and attention to the welfare of the team, returning home for his last rites for the briefest period.

“My role was to constantly motivate and respect the efforts of the professionals in the team. And that is what I tried to do.

“I wish to thank United Spirits Limited for giving me an opportunity to be an integral part of the making of an IPL team.

“I can understand their disappointment at the team not being the fastest off the block. But, as I kept reiterating, there are many matches and many seasons to go — to get it right.

“The Company has every right to hire and fire personnel. For details of why I was summarily dismissed from my duties, three hours before I was to board a flight to Kolkata for the next match, please contact the company’s representatives.

“I thank my friends, well wishers, especially fellow media professionals, who have flooded me with their empathy.

“ wish the team and the company, as always, the best of luck.”

Meanwhile, Vijay Mallya, the franchise holder of Royal Challengers Bangalore, in a press release stressed that he opted for Brijesh Patel as the CEO.

“There has been considerable speculation over events surrounding the Royal Challengers cricket team.

“I want to clarify that I continue to have faith and confidence in all my players led by Dravid and in Martin Crowe, Chief Cricket Officer, and his team. My choice of Brijesh was largely motivated by the fact that he is an accomplished cricketer from Karnataka,” Mallya said.

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

Sport