Extract of Minutes of the 68th Annual General Body Meeting, November 6 and 7, Taj Coromandel, Chennai

We quote, from Page 16, where item (a) on the Agenda is taken up:

(a) Election of the Manager, Coach, and Physiotherapist of the Indian cricket team for the tour of Sharjah in December 1997:

Mr I S Bindra observed that in the Board's Working Committee meeting at Calcutta on 9 August 1997, it was discussed that the Indian team should not visit Sharjah more than once a year. In view of this, he observed that the election of the Manager, Coach and Physiotherapist of the Indian team for the tour of Sharjah in April 1998 should not be discussed. He further stated that inspired by the success of the Independence Cup in May 1997, the Board should organise an international tournament under floodlights on its own in April/May every year, and that the first edition should be organised in April 1998. He stated that by organising a tournament on its own, the Board could also pay a more handsome amount to the beneficiaries than what is paid by CBFS.

Mr Bindra futher observed that by participating in tournaments organised by the CBFS in Sharjah, the Board's earnings are not as much as in the case of the Toronto tournament. He stated that the Board should enter into an agreement that would be more profitable for the Board. He observed that he had a discussion with the authorities of the Pakistan Cricket Board in the matter and that they were also of the opinion that the terms and conditions for playing tournaments in Sharjah should be revised.

The Hony Secretary (The secretary at the time is our old friend, J Y Lele -- Ed/.) stated that it was never decided in the Board's Working Committee meeting that the Indian team should not visit Sharjah more than once a year. Instead, it was decided that the Indian team could visit Sharjah once a year and if there was an invitation for a second visit during the year, the same should be discussed in the Working Committee and a favourable decision could be taken only if the tournament in Sharjah does not clash with the Board's other international commitments.

Shri P M Rungta observed that the Board's earnings by participating in Sharjah tournaments could be lesser but the Board should not forget the yeoman services of CBFS over the years by awarding benefit purses to the former cricketers of the country. He observed that there should not be any problem in the Indian team's participation in Sharjah more than once a year if the schedule permits and if the same does not clash with any other commitments of the Board.

Mr J Dalmiya observed that the issue was whether the Indian team could visit Sharjah in April 1998 or not. He stated that if the Board is able to organise its own international tournament, it could sacrifice participation in tournaments at Sharjah and Toronto....

The discussion goes on in that vein, and finally, it is decided that India will go to Sharjah -- Ed/-

Mail your comments