BCCI chief discounts drug allegations

The president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India AC Muthiah on Sunday discounted reports that some Indian cricketers had used performance enhancing steroids.

"I don't think our players are involved in any such drug issue,' he told a press conference in Chennai after the annual general meeting of the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association.

However, he said the International Cricket Council was "working out certain methods to avoid drug abuse if it is prevalent amongst cricketers."

Muthiah said the drug issue was discussed at length during an ICC meeting last month and "we are awaiting the decisions and the BCCI will also follow the ICC system when it is in place."

To a question whether the BCCI proposed to take random samples of Indian team members for dope testing, Muthiah said there was no laboratory facility available in the country for such tests. Even for horses, samples were being sent abroad.

A cover story in 'Outlook' magazine had alleged that some players, including Rahul Dravid, Javagal Srinath and Ajit Agarkar have resorted to drug-taking in the past. But, team manager Chetan Chauhan has already denied the charges.

Muthiah said building up a strong second string Indian team was being given top priority and the board had plans to send the players to South Africa, New Zealand, West Indies and Sri Lanka to provide international exposure.

Stating that the u-19 and u-16 teams had proved their worth by winning the world-level tournaments in the respective age categories, Muthiah said the BCCI had decided to give them the best opportunities to perform better.

Muthiah also expressed happiness at the performance of the Indian team in the just concluded Zimbabwe tour. "The middle order batsmen had proved their worth despite losing the one-day triangular series final to West Indies. Both the Test and one-day series were within India's reach," he added.

On amendments to the BCCI constitution, Muthiah said the special general body meeting of the board convened for the purpose in January was postponed due to paucity of time. In the meantime, certain additions had been proposed by the three-member committee set up for the purpose and these would be placed for discussions at the next working committee meeting before being taken up for a decision at a special AGM.

On revoking the two-year ban on the Punjab Cricket Association President IS Bindra from attending the board meetings, he said the decision to slap the ban was taken by the general body. A decision would be taken shortly on the matter.

Muthiah said the TNCA had decided to acquire land for setting up of the South Zone cricket academy and had earmarked Rs one crore for the purpose.