RSA_IND_CONFLICT_22MAR1996

South African And Indian Cricket Chiefs In Conflict

NEW DELHI. South African and Indian cricket chiefs appeared in direct conflict on Wednesday over the site of the 2003 World Cup. Inderjit Bindra, head of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, said a 1993 International Cricket Council resolution to award the Cup to South Africa was not binding.

But Ali Bacher, head of the United Cricket Board of South Africa, insisted that South Africa would definitely co-host the first Cup of the 21st century with neighbours Zimbabwe.

Bindra, speaking by telephone from Chandigarah, said an ICC meeting in Lahore after the World Cup final, had overturned a resolution that the ICC would conduct future World Cups.

"Once some parts of the resolution have been overturned, the other parts of the resolution are not binding,`` Bindra said.

"No matter was put to vote but the only decision of earlier meetings endorsed was England`s choice as hosts of the 1999 World Cup.

"South Africa`s bid for hosting the 2003 World Cup was not rejected but neither was it approved. The ICC meeting deferred a decision as the West Indies wanted to put up a bid for it.``

Earlier Bacher told Reuters the original ICC decision had been binding.

"When we got back into the world of cricket, we were initially keen to bid for the 1996 World Cup,`` said Bacher.

"But when India toured here in 1992 we decided to withdraw our bid because we felt it was premature and development of cricket among the black community was our priority.

"That left two in the race -- the Indian sub-continent and England -- and at our meeting at Lord`s in February 1993, at the end of a 12-hour session, it was decided to award the hosting to India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka; then England in 1999 and South Arica in 2003.

"It was a binding decision taken at the meeting.``

Bacher said the commitment had been reaffirmed in a meeting he had held with ICC chairman Sir Clyde Walcott in Chandigrah last week.

Bacher said South Africa would co-host the tournament with neighbours Zimbabwe and might even stage some matches in Kenya.

"It is a situation which would help in our plans to spread the growth of cricket throughout Africa,`` he said.

Source:: Daily News (https://www.lanka.net)