Dhindsa's meeting ends with a whimper

Dhindsa's meeting ends with a whimper
PRADEEP MAGAZINE

NEW DELHI, APRIL 27: It all ended with a whimper. The meeting billed as crucial to decide on the match-fixing charges in cricket called by Union Minister for Sports Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa had a very tame outcome which didn't match with the media tamasha that preceded it at all.

There were more than 20 video cameras manned by double the number of persons jostling for space. The print media had double the strength of the TV channels. They all had their ears cocked for a possible announcement of a CBI probe by the Minister. But after a two-and-a-half-hour meeting -- the list of participants was the Indian cricket's who's who -- Dhindsa had nothing to say, nothing at all.

Yes, he did express his concern and that of the Board and added for good measure that the Board would extend its complete support to assist in whatever steps the government may initiate. But no probe of any kind was announced. All that the minister had to say was: ``Keeping in view the discussions in the meeting and earlier discussions in Parliament and sentiments being expressed in the media, the Government will announce its future course of action in the next few days.'' What that could be, Dhindsa refused to elaborate, saying: ``Parliament is in session and whatever announcement has to be made will be made on the floor of the House.''

A press note released after the conference made a grandiloquent statement: ``Based on the deliberations today, the BCCI has agreed to prepare a five-year vision document in the next three months covering all aspects for improving the standard of cricket in India. This document will be discussed with the sports ministry.''

The meeting in the morning was attended by all-time greats like the Nawab of Pataudi, Bishan Singh Bedi, Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Mohammed Azharuddin and Sachin Tendulkar. Also present were former Test cricketers-turned Indian coaches Madan Lal and Anshuman Gaekwad, but there wasn't enough time for the two to speak their minds. Then there were players-turned politicians -- Kirti Azad and Chetan Chauhan -- and the mandarins of Indian cricket: Jagmohan Dalmiya, A C Muthiah and yes, Jaywant Lele.

The presence of Inderjit Singh Bindra produced no sparks. The former Board president made his points with utmost restraint.

The initial thrust of the meeting was how to improve the standard of cricket in India. Azharuddin and Tendulkar stuck to this point and so did many others. Board President Muthiah read out a paper, detailing the excellent work done by the organisation in improving the standard of the game in the country.

It was left to Pataudi, Bedi and Kirti Azad to make forceful points about the betting and match-fixing scandal. Dalmiya, ICC president, agreed with those who felt a probe was needed and so did Muthiah. It was over to Dhindsa.

And yes, Lele did not utter a single word for the 150 minutes the meeting lasted.