ICC President optimistic on Indian tax exemption

ICC President Ehsan Mani said that he was optimistic that the ICC Champions Trophy would be played in India following media reports that the Indian government would provide the tax exemption required by the ICC for the event to proceed.

"The ICC is yet to receive official notification of this decision or to be provided with the detail of what has taken place but I have spoken to senior officials of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) who have confirmed that the Indian Government has approved the tax exemption for international sporting events in India including the ICC Champions Trophy 2006. This is a welcome move that should clear the way for the ICC Champions Trophy to be held in India in 2006," said Mr Mani.

"It has always been the ICC's intention to have this tournament in India and the tax issue is the final barrier to allowing us to confirm these arrangements.

"The work of the BCCI has been central to helping us work with the Indian Government to secure this event for India and I look forward to receiving more complete advice on the decision so that we can examine it in detail and confirm that it is consistent with what the event requires.

"If this is the case, it is a major step forward in being able to stage major international cricket events in India," said Mr Mani.