Saber stands by BCB decision (7 June 1999)

7 June 1999

Saber stands by BCB decision

The Daily Star

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Saber Hossain Chowdhury said that the board did not sack its West Indian coach Gordon Greenidge, but only removed him from the team management in order to restore discipline.

"There has been a misunderstanding. We have only discharged him (Gordon) from his additional job as coach. But he is still the director of coaching", said Saber while talking to a host of reporters in a press conference at his office at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

"We sincerely did not want to go through an experience like the one that had happened with Mahinder Amarnath. We have tried our utmost to bring him (Gordon) back to Bangladesh with the team. But he was not available", said Saber.

"It's a big disappointment that he is not here with us today," said Saber. But the BCB supremo claimed that the Board quite rightly issued the letter to Gordon before Bangladesh's match against Pakistan.

"It was one of the most difficult decisions to make. It was a bit harsh and I think by taking such decisions you can't satisfy everyone. But before taking the decision we have talked to the captain, vice-captain and the manager. They all agreed to discharge Gordon from his additional job.

"We had a mission in the World Cup, and Gordon had a job to do. But at times he disregarded his professional commitments and crossed his line. So, to restore discipline in the team, to get the best out of the players and to uphold sprit and the image of the country we took the decision", said Saber.

When asked was it so necessary to remove him before the end of the World Cup, Saber replied in the affirmative.

"I don't want to go into details in absence of him. Let me tell you one thing that as coach he was a member of the team management whose responsibility was to motivate the players on and off the field apart from the captain and his deputy. He was also liable to attend all the team meetings. But after the New Zealand and West Indies matches he remained away from the team and the meetings.

"We called him several times but he said he was unwell. Fine... he was a great batsman and we have offered him with honorary citizenship. But that doesn't mean that somebody has the license to anything he wants. There has to be some element of accountability, some element of responsibility," Saber said.

"Still, after all these, we wanted to have him back with us and join the reception as he is still our director of coaching. We tried to communicate with him.

"I'm going to England to attend the ICC meeting. The Prime Minister announced a cash award for him and when I go back to London I will personally hand over the award to him," Saber said.

Answering to another query, Saber said that getting a Test status does not mean that Bangladesh will start playing Test matches now. He said that if Bangladesh get Test status this year it would take another four years to get a schedule to play a Test Match.

"I think in next four years we will be ready enough to play Test matches," he said.

Manager Tanveer Muzhar Islam, skipper Aminul Islam and his deputy Khaled Mahmud and coordinator Dewan Shafiul Arefin were present at the press briefing.

About a permanent venue for cricket, Saber said, the Prime Minister has assured him of the allotment of a permanent ground before the beginning of the next season.

"I'm very confident that a stadium will be given to us. Well, if you push me I will say that as we have already established Dhaka as an international venue and Bangabandhu National Stadium will be our prime choice because it is tailor-made for cricket. The floodlights we have installed here is the world's best. Besides, some other renovations have also been made. So it's the perfect choice.

"The Prime Minister has not only talked of Dhaka but also of building cricket venues in other divisions. I'm very pleased with that," Saber said.

About the future Bangladesh coach, Saber said that nothing have been finalised yet.

"We have already communicated with Australia, New Zealand, England, Pakistan and South Africa regarding the appointment of a new coach and hope to have a new coach before August," Saber concluded.

Source :: The Daily Star