ICPA may have competition

The politics surrounding the just-formed cricketers' association is heating up, with senior selector Ashok Malhotra, known to be close to Board of Control for Cricket in India president Jagmohan Dalmiya, preparing to float a parallel body.

Malhotra claims that preparations are already under way to form an exclusive body for first class cricketers, who, he says, will not be taken care of by the Indian Cricket Players' Association, which was launched earlier this week.

"ICPA has been formed to cater only to the senior players, and hence is not a representative of all sections of players. Therefore, preparations may have begun for the formation of an association for first class cricketers," Malhotra told reporters in Kolkata.

Malhotra, who is believed to have the support of former Test batsman Dilip Vengsarkar, says there is no need for the ICPA, as an old players' association, formed in 1989, could have been revived. He said the old organisation should have been considered dormant and not defunct as it had not been officially closed down.

The former Test batsman pulled no stops while criticising ICPA secretary Arun Lal, who was an office-bearer of the old association.

"How can he become the secretary of the new body when the old forum has not been officially shut down," he asked.

Malhotra also hinted at financial misappropriation by Lal, saying the then cricketers had raised a million rupees, which surprisingly disappeared later.

ICPA officials have not responded to Malhotra's allegation that the body is not representative of all sections of players. Only Lal did say that the money Malhotra is refering to "must be lying in the bank the way it was then".

Malhotra has not revealed details of the ICPA's rival organisation that he is reportedly championing. Neither has a date been announced for its launch.

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ICPA to meet with BCCI in three weeks: Pataudi

Mail Cricket Editor