WC 2011 bid: BCCI would prefer to go it alone, says Mahendra

Speaking on the legislations being passed by the governments of Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, which might curtail the powers of cricket associations in these states, Mahendra said the matter is subjudice. ‘‘However, if such laws are passed BCCI won’t bow down to pressure. We might even think of not allotting international matches to such states, stopping the subsidies for raising infrastructure and other such aids. Moreover, we will back the associations loyal to us,’’ he remarked.

The BCCI chief also said the board has not taken a decision on launching of its own television channel. ‘‘We have never said that the board is going to launch its own channel. Our first priority is cricket and the commercial interests,’’ he retorted.

On the newly-appointed coach Greg Chappell, Mahendra said he was picked purely on the basis of merit. He also said the board is also not averse to the idea of appointing a bowling coach provided Chappell makes such a demand.

Committee formed for TV rights, sponsorships

The BCCI has constituted a 12-member committee to look into the issues of TV rights and sponsorships. The committee would then forward the proposals to the board for its consent.

‘‘The committee would discuss all proposals relating to offering TV rights to various sports channels and garnering sponsorship to hosting various competitions and arrange finances for the development of the game in India,’’ board president Ranbir Singh Mahendra disclosed while addressing a media gathering here on Wednesday.

The members: Ranbir Singh Mahendra (chairman), Kamal Morarka, Ranga Reddy, CK Khanna, Rajiv Shukla, Chirayu Amin, SK Nair, Gautam Dasgupta, Jyoti Bajpayee, Arun Jaitley, IS Bindra and Jagmohan Dalmiya.