September 18, 2013 2:09:59 am
The Indian cricket boards secretary Sanjay Patel and Cricket South Africa CEO Haroon Lorgat met on the sidelines of the ICC Chief Executives meet in Dubai but a final decision on Indias tour of the African nation will be taken only after September 29 following the BCCIs Annual General Body meeting.
The meeting was arranged between the officials of the two boards following concerns raised by the BCCI around the schedule that was released by CSA.
The CSA had initially planned a tour that comprised three Tests,seven ODIs and two T20 Internationals apart from two three-day warm-up games spanning over two months.
However,the BCCI,upset over the appointment of Lorgat as CSA CEO,has threatened a curtailed series. I am happy to say that we had a constructive meeting and I would like to thank Sanjay for his friendliness and support in trying to find a way forward, Lorgat said in a CSA statement.
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After listening to Sanjay,it is clear that we will now have to wait for the BCCIs AGM to be completed before any tour schedule can be confirmed. It is key for all of us to make sure that the good relationship between our respective Boards is maintained and,in fact,strengthened and that we also honour the proud history between our two countries, added Lorgat.
Our Board presidents are also in discussion and we will now arrange for them to meet soon after the BCCI AGM.
Airtel not to extend sponsorship
THE Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has called for a marketing committee meeting on September 19 in Mumbai to begin the tender process to invite new title sponsors after Bharti Airtel declined from extending its contract for Indias home international games.
The Bharti Airtel contract was worth an approximate Rs 3.3 crore for every international game. The contract came to an end in April this year and when the Indian board approached Bharti Airtel for extension the company declined.
BCCI treasurer Ravi Savant confirmed that Airtel was not continuing as the title sponsor for home fixtures. The marketing committee meeting has been called on September 19 in Mumbai where the tender process will be discussed to invite new bids for title sponsor, Savant told The Indian Express.
A top BCCI official said that Airtel had decided not to renew the sponsorship as India was playing aboard next year,including a series in New Zealand and England.
The Indian team is schedule to play one T20 and seven ODIs against Australia at home and BCCI is hoping to have new sponsor on the board before the start of the series.
Devendra Pandey
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