BCCI sticks to its guns on SLPL

23 June 2011 07:23 pm - 28 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Thursday informed the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) that the Indian board would not be in a position to allow its players to take part in Sri Lanka’s version of the IPL,

During a tele-conference with the top officials of the Sri Lankan Cricket (SLC) on Thursday morning, BCCI secretary N Srinivasan told the SLC officials about this.

“It is their decision and we cannot force them to change their position,” Sri Lanka sports minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage told DNA on Thursday. “We knew that India was not going to change its stand. That was the reason why we did not go to India. We made an attempt to convince them but the BCCI told us that it cannot reverse its stand. They seem to have some apprehensions over the tournament,” the sports minister said. SLC chairman DS de Silva and secretary Nishantha Ranatunga spoke to the Indian board officials on Thursday.

The BCCI, it may be recalled, recently decided not to let its players take part in the SLPL as they think it as a private tournament. Twelve Indian players were to take part in the 16-day event. The minister said although Sri Lanka is disappointed, it continued to hold the Indian board as a close friend.

“The decision is not going to affect our relations. The BCCI continues to be our friend,” he said. Asked if Sri Lanka will release its players for the Indian Premier League (IPL), the minister said that decision will be determined by the FTP. “We will decide that matter basing on our team’s international commitment. But take my word, we will not be influenced by BCCI’s refusal to release the players,” he remarked.

The absence of Indian players is going to have a huge impact on the television revenue for the SLPL. With less than a month left for the start of the tournament, the Lanka board is yet to finalise a broadcaster. Now that the league will not have any Indian flavour, the television deal could be affected.

“A lot depended on the Indian participation. Now that the Indians are not coming, we will try to sign a deal with a broadcaster internally in our country,” the minister admitted.

Aluthgamage went on to add that the absence of Indian cricketers could cripple the league financially and force it to be conducted only at the local level unless more foreign players from other countries are roped in.

Either we replace the Indians with more foreign cricketers from England, New Zealand, Australia and Pakistan or else scrap the league completely."

The SLC initially thought of disbanding the tournament. Then it wanted to hold the inter-provincial tournament without the participation of foreign players. But as the SLC has already signed up with some foreign players, it has decided to go ahead with the tournament with the available foreign players. The tournament will be held from July 19 to August 4.

(DNA & the Times of India)

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Comments - 28

Don Friday, 24 June 2011 04:22 AM

they are our closest freind for name but create the biggest mischief in our country. anyway, we deserve it as we mishanleded the whole IPL thing. Aluthgamge koheda yanna, disaster!!

freehit Friday, 24 June 2011 04:57 PM

Is it fair to treat us like this, India, after letting you to win the world cup? It simply isn't cricket.

freehit Friday, 24 June 2011 04:56 PM

You're a big bully, big brother.

LIMA Friday, 24 June 2011 10:42 AM

now u got it , u sold our world cup for money to india thru vijay mallasekara , mr got the bulk of the money, now what next. this is india ,

lawtalks Friday, 24 June 2011 09:44 AM

It was never financially viable for Sri Lanka to have its own Cricket league, at least not at the current stage of our finances or development. What Sri Lanka could have done was join the IPL league with a Sri Lankan based home team, so that Sri Lanka then becomes a venue for the IPL.

Some so called "nationalists" would see this as Sri Lanka being enveloped by India - but this is sport and finance. The Canadian hockey league is now full of Americans. In fact, it's been a while since a Canadian team ever won their own hockey league! Considering lots of Sri Lankans already play in the IPL, we might as well try to host some of the matches here and have our own team. It would be far more financially viable for us.

murali Friday, 24 June 2011 09:06 AM

Why should SLPL rely on useless indian players, get players from Ireland,nethrlands etc....BCCI go to hell!!!!!!!!!!

banda Friday, 24 June 2011 08:41 AM

it has been a disaster whatever u lot touched

willows Friday, 24 June 2011 08:15 AM

what goes around, what comes around??? still they have not learned their lessons???

bigsam Friday, 24 June 2011 05:30 AM

Yeah - and please for the love of the sport, resign.

lnkn Friday, 24 June 2011 04:55 AM

Why not scrap the whole tournament? it hasn't been an auspicious start.

Zaharan Friday, 24 June 2011 04:40 AM

This is a direct result of no proper planning hence they are paying the price big time.

Fayad Friday, 24 June 2011 04:31 AM

Sri lankan players even went late for their assignment in England playing IPL

Don Friday, 24 June 2011 04:31 AM

proud to be a royalist. what a bloody shame

TMA Friday, 24 June 2011 04:30 AM

Let's check the patriotism of our players.

C.K.Lankaputhra Thursday, 23 June 2011 11:12 PM

Sri Lanka is getting well and truly from all sides, even from the closest friend. Looks honeymooning is over.

Nibras Friday, 24 June 2011 04:08 AM

Can you pls review this matter?

Calistus Jayatilleke Friday, 24 June 2011 04:06 AM

The rogue Minister and the thieves in the SLC have finally met their Waterloo. Wonder if it is the same Minister who is talking now from another mouth after having threatened India to withdraw Sri Lankan players from the IPL recently. So now we know why the delegation did not visit India giving a lame excuse of having some meetings in the Parliament! Go on, fool the hoi-polloi more and more and go on playing to the gallery.

Dushantha Friday, 24 June 2011 04:01 AM

First of all find out the missing information of the world cup. Have a clear accounting procedure. Then you can think about extra activities. Just because of your mis managements we are becoming jokers in front of the world. No money in the board, The whole nation knows about malpractices. Giving big talks without having nails to scratch the back.

ajith Friday, 24 June 2011 03:45 AM

SLC, don't get demoralized.
All these lame excuses from India is mainly because of Pakistan involvement.
You are been battered by all forces but keep your head straight and face the music and show the big brother that we too can organize league tournaments.
I am sorry to say that India's behavior is pathetic!!!!!!!

Kasyapa Friday, 24 June 2011 03:30 AM

Don't stop the tournament, go ahead with whoever availble players! If you discourage then that's all what India expects. BCCI do not want to see SLPL one day go more fruitfully than IPL, perhaps 4 yrs later. And, Anticipate more rockets future in all areas and, don't wait untill they are blasted on the doorstep.

uglytruth Friday, 24 June 2011 03:30 AM

Thanks to India...If not these experts will show us SLPL and do some price increases in here....

nsk Friday, 24 June 2011 03:23 AM

we should show that we still can do it with out India. but only if we have a genuine interest in promoting sports. if its going be like our SLC then better we play marbles at home.

Gihan De Silva Friday, 24 June 2011 03:22 AM

danvath mey horu rala elavala hoda path kara gattey natnam sri lanka cricket ivarai kisima deyakata mey eka horekvath gava ganna narakai elavalama danna oney

Saminda Mohottie Friday, 24 June 2011 03:19 AM

"We have an urgent meeting in the Parliament tomorrow, so they won't be able to travel to India tomorrow," Aluthgamage said." - Liar Liar Pants on Fire.

Just goes to show what regard he has for the intelligence of us sri lankans. Or is it gust plain arrogance.

king shah Friday, 24 June 2011 02:38 AM

Expected.........................?

Thareen Friday, 24 June 2011 02:02 AM

Thanks India, Otherwise these rogues would steal another load of millions..,

miles Friday, 24 June 2011 01:35 AM

good move

MagodisThuma Thursday, 23 June 2011 11:32 PM

Indians don't want to get connected with these rouges !.

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BCCI sticks to its guns on SLPL

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