Sri Lanka's Two Votes For Indian Jagmohan Dalmiya (16 Apr 1996)

16 April 1996

By Sa`adi Thawfeeq

The Sri Lanka Cricket Board`s new president Upali Dharmadasa said that his Board would support India`s candidate for ICC (International Cricket Council) chairman Jagmohan Dalmiya, although they were unable to propose or second his name for the post.

"We were unable to acceded to Dalmiya`s request because Pakistan played up,`` said Dharmadasa.

"When Dalmiya approached us in Singapore, we were caught in a tight situation because Arif Abbasi, the Pakistan Cricket Board secretary was also in the running for the ICC chairman`s post. We could not fall out with either of them because we needed their support,`` he said.

"In the event, we took a neutral stance and said that we would not propose or second anyone. However, Abbasi pulled out of the contest on the evening of April 9, which was too late for us to second Dalmiya`s name,`` said Dharmadasa.

"We will however support Dalmiya for the presidency. We have been given the green light by the Sports Minister,`` he said.

Nominations for the ICC chairman`s post closed on April 10.

Dalmiya was eventually nominated by India and seconded by Pakistan. The other two candidates in the running for the ICC chairmanship in July are Krish Mackerdhuj, whose name has been proposed by the United Cricket Board of South Africa and seconded by Zimbabwe Cricket Union and, Malcolm Gray, who has been proposed by the Australian Cricket Board and seconded by New Zealand Cricket.

Dalmiya who is the secretary of the Indian Cricket Board and secretary of the Asian Cricket Council is assured of support from three full ICC members (India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) and at least 20 of the 22 associated member countries, which makes him a firm favourite to become the president-elect of ICC after present chairman, Sir Clyde Walcott`s term ends in 1997.

Dharmadasa denied that there was any financial obligations involved with supporting Dalmiya for the presidency during their meeting in Singapore.

"The Indian Board was giving 19 of its states, US$ 2 million from World Cup profits. We explored the possibility of whether our Board too could be given a similar figure for the development of our cricket,`` said Dharmadasa.

He also denied that his Cricket Board had received any ruling from its Indian counterpart that future cricket tours between the two countries will have to be sanctioned by the Indian External Affairs Minister.

In the next couple of years, India are due to participate in the 4-nation Singer tournament and the Asia Cup tournament - both in Colombo and play back-to-back series of five Tests in India and Sri Lanka.

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