'We can't put up a show with our hands tied' - Modi
Lalit Modi speaks to Cricinfo about his grouses against the ICC, an organisation who he felt 'didn't know how to run the game'
Siddhartha Vaidyanathan at Jaipur
12-Oct-2006
Lalit Modi, the vice-president of the Indian board, has built a reputation as someone who doesn't pull his punches. And no way is he going to restrain himself when it involves his state association, Rajasthan. He spoke to Cricinfo about his grouses against the ICC, an
organisation who he felt didn't have "too much experience in organising tournaments"
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I speak my mind and say it the way it is. At the end of the day the Indian cricket board is not going to lie on its back and get shafted. There are a lot of issues out there. These issues have to be resolved and it's something we're very, very particular about. At the end of the day, it's the members who make the ICC and ICC can't over-rule the members and try and impose restrictions on them.
Isn't it unfortunate that a major tournament is being held in India after 10 years and it's immediately clouded with trouble?
Every tournament has its problems, but the way the ICC has structured itself in running this tournament, I don't think they understand the game in terms of conducting it. I don't think they've too much experience in organising tournaments. This is the first time they are doing it themselves - otherwise they've subcontracted it to other boards. I don't think they have the wherewithal and understanding for running the game of cricket in a country that's so diverse and so unique, with so many problems. Every state government has its rules, every police association has its rules, there's logistics to be understood. We can't put up a show for the world with our hands tied behind our backs.
Every tournament has its problems, but the way the ICC has structured itself in running this tournament, I don't think they understand the game in terms of conducting it. I don't think they've too much experience in organising tournaments. This is the first time they are doing it themselves - otherwise they've subcontracted it to other boards. I don't think they have the wherewithal and understanding for running the game of cricket in a country that's so diverse and so unique, with so many problems. Every state government has its rules, every police association has its rules, there's logistics to be understood. We can't put up a show for the world with our hands tied behind our backs.
Why is it that all other countries, including the Asian bloc, have agreed on the MPA when India have not?
You must realise that 80% of the ICC revenue come from India and, of course India is going to be affected by it. If a sponsor or an advertiser is going to take his money and decide where the money is going to go, and if it's going to go from the Indian board's pocket, of course there are going to be issues. But we're making too much out of that issue. I think the money is still there, money will always be there. There are other major issues - unilateral changing of the agreement (which was signed by two parties), playing condition issues, hosting issues and operating issues, which are more critical to us. Money is not the critical issue. We've ourselves said we'll bid for the rights.
You must realise that 80% of the ICC revenue come from India and, of course India is going to be affected by it. If a sponsor or an advertiser is going to take his money and decide where the money is going to go, and if it's going to go from the Indian board's pocket, of course there are going to be issues. But we're making too much out of that issue. I think the money is still there, money will always be there. There are other major issues - unilateral changing of the agreement (which was signed by two parties), playing condition issues, hosting issues and operating issues, which are more critical to us. Money is not the critical issue. We've ourselves said we'll bid for the rights.
But isn't the ICC contract only with the BCCI? Isn't the BCCI that needs to be in charge of the problems of the respective boards?
Contractually they're bound to do it. They can actually decide where I can go in my own stadium. That's absurd, I've never heard of it. I control my security, I control my stadium. We are not allowed to do our media accreditation; it's all in their hands.
Contractually they're bound to do it. They can actually decide where I can go in my own stadium. That's absurd, I've never heard of it. I control my security, I control my stadium. We are not allowed to do our media accreditation; it's all in their hands.
Do you foresee similar problems in future tournaments, especially the 2011 World Cup?
We will make sure that these issues are taken care of when we sign the agreement.
We will make sure that these issues are taken care of when we sign the agreement.
Siddhartha Vaidyanathan is staff writer of Cricinfo