BCCI has refused to send cricket teams to Asian Games to be held in Guangzhou in November 2010. Men will have a cricket series with New Zealand at that time. Women do not have any series but BCCI has not agreed to send women’s team also.
Some have called BCCI’s decision a national disgrace. Some say BCCI has put money before medals. Some suggest BCCI could send its B team. BCCI does not agree. In 1998 it sent two teams; one to Kuala Lumpur for Commonwealth Games, another to a series in Toronto. Both teams lost. Recently India’s B team in Zimbabwe lost two ODIs to Zimbabwe. Suresh Kalmadi, chairman of IOA, said he knew BCCI would not send cricket team to Commonwealth Games and therefore he did not include cricket in Commonwealth Games.
May be money is more important for BCCI and some cricketers than awards and Asian Games medals. Two cricketers did not think much of Padma Shri awards.
Some say it is not about money. BCCI is not agreeable to the whereabouts clause of World Anti-Doping Agency.
Someone said it is good if BCCI does not send a team. Cricketers get attention at all times. This time other athletes will get attention.
Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have agreed to send teams to Asian Games. Afghanistan, China and Oman cricket teams will play in Asian Games.
Sports ministry can select two teams. For men’s team cricketers who retired in recent years and those who are not likely to play in New Zealand series can be selected. Anil Kumble, Sourav Ganguly, Rohan Gavaskar, David Johnson, Noel Coward and such players can be in the team. There is no problem in selecting women’s team as they do not have any series at the time.
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