da fezbet： A team from the CBI is likely to question ICC’s finance committeechairman Ehsan Mani when it arrives in London later this week inconnection with investigations into a television telecast rights case
Staff and Agencies18-Jun-2001* CBI likely to meet ICC finance committee chairmanA team from the CBI is likely to question ICC’s finance committeechairman Ehsan Mani when it arrives in London later this week inconnection with investigations into a television telecast rights case.Though there was no official word from CBI, Mani has been quoted inthe Sunday Telegraph as saying that he was available for meeting theCBI team if it so desired.”Nobody has approached me or spoken to me, but obviously if they (CBI)wanted to see me, I’d be happy to meet them,” said Mani, who has beenheading ICC’s finance committee since 1997 and is a hot favourite tobecome the next president of the ICC. In his capacity as chairman ofthe finance committee, Mani played a leading part in the negotiationsof television rights for the inaugural ICC knock-out tournament inDhaka in 1998 which is the subject of CBI’s investigations. The CBIwill use the documents to conduct an audit trail to find out how thetelevision rights were awarded.Negotiations for the 1998 knock-out tournament TV rights began whenthe finance committee delegated responsibility to a sub-group. Maniand former ICC chief Barry Richards opened the sealed bids in Monacoin the presence of the ICC’s solicitors, Simons and Simons.* Assam Cricket Academy launchedSunday, June 17 was a red letter day for the Assam CricketAssociation. It’s ambitious project, the Assam Cricket Academy whichaims to impart coaching to youngsters in the State in the under-19,under-16 and under-14 group, was launched.Gautam Roy, Minister of Sports and Social Welfare and formerpresident of the ACA presided over the inauguration. The inauguralspeech was given by octogenarian Ranji player and founder secretary ofthe ACA Pulin Das. Before this, there was a felicitation function forPulin Das, Gautam Roy, Capt.Robin Bordoloi, MLA, Bolin Bordoloi,Managing Director, Tata Tea and a few other distinguished guests. Theywere all given a traditional memento. All of them spoke on theoccasion and advised the players to be disciplined and dedicated. Mostof the former Ranji players of the city were present.Gautam Roy donated Rs 25,000 to the Academy and made a plea forsponsors to come forward and help the Academy. The Academy wasformally launched by Gautam Roy bowling a ball to Pulin Das. Thenchief coach Kamal Das and the other coaches of the Academy ManojBhagawati, Mukut Das and Rajib Rajbongshi gave a few tips to the 26players present out of around 50 players expected to attend thecoaching.* Zonal cricket academy camp concludesThe 45-day coaching camp at the zonal cricket academy concluded at theVidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) ground in Nagpur on Sunday.In all, 21 players from Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Vidarbha werethe beneficiaries of the camp which imparted advanced coaching, modernphysical training through yoga and swimming.The VCA zonal academy was one of the eight academies set up by theBoard of Control for Cricket in India for young players.