BCCI finds compensation claims 'flimsy and exaggerated'

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) today announced that they had filed a claim for the US$6.5 million that the ICC withheld from India's participation fees in the 2003 World Cup.

At the end of the first day of a two-day meeting in Chennai, the Working Committee said that it had examined the claims for compensation raised by World Sport Nimbus and found them to be "baseless, flimsy and exaggerated". "We have forwarded our findings to the International Development International (IDI)," said Jagmohan Dalmiya, "and demanded the US$ 6.5 million."

Dalmiya added that the IDI had "vindicated the BCCI's position" and assured that the claims for compensation would be thoroughly investigated.

The Working Committee also announced a roster of other decisions taken on the first day. Among these was the TVS groups' sponsorship of the Challenger and Irani trophies, as well as a reversion to the traditional zonal format for the Duleep Trophy. The Ranji Trophy's two-tier format, Dalmiya said, would continue after success in its maiden season.

The BCCI also pointed to the progress of its nationwide "preparation scheme", which has thus far included seminars for coaches and fitness trainers, as well as camps for various levels of cricket. Dalmiya said that a seminar for curators would be held on August 23-24 in Kolkata, while an umpires' seminar would be held in Mumbai on September 6-7.