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Journalism of Courage
Oops! They did it again. With the BCCI dragging its feet over naming a successor to Team India physio Andrew Leipus, they were shown up when the incumbent did it himself. At a press conference today, Leipus said he would be handing over charge to fellow Australian John Gloster 8216;8216;within the next week8217;8217;.
Sepaking at a promotional campaign in the city, Leipus confirmed his short-term departure, before naming Gloster, the former Bangladesh physio, as his replacement.
8216;8216;Yes my replacement is ready8217;8217;, Leipus told the incredulous reporters. 8216;8216;I will be handing over the charge to John within the next week and then go back to Australia to start my post-graduation studies.8217;8217;
There were two choices before the BCCI, he said. 8216;8216;Alex Kontouri former Sri Lankan and Australian physio and John Gloster were the people in mind. But since Alex was unavailable, John was the logical choice8217;8217;, Leipus said.
It would, however, be a short-term arrangement since Leipus is scheduled to return in July. The BCCI was quick to deny that any appointment had been made, saying only that a decision was likely 8216;8216;very shortly8217;8217;.
8216;8216;The office-bearers will be meeting in Kolkata over the next couple of days. We have a couple of names in mind, but we will make a decision only after discussions8217;8217;, BCCI secretary SK Nair told The Indian Express from Thirvunanthapuram.
Why did Leipus himself mention names? 8216;8216;I don8217;t know8217;8217;, Nair said. 8216;8216;He is going and must have said something on the basis of the discussion we BCCI had with him.8217;8217;
The BCCI8217;s incomplete AGM is also scheduled to be held in Kolkata on January 27, so a formal announcement is expected on that day.
Incidentally, Leipus himself had suggested the appointment of Gloster in a letter written to the BCCI during the Mumbai Test against Australia. Leipus and Gloster are old friends and have studied together in Adelaide, where Gloster is currently based.
