ICL a profit making venture: Bindra

Chandigarh, Aug 25 (UNI) Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) president Inderjit Singh Bindra today said the BCCI could not give recognition to Indian Cricket League (ICL) as it was a ''profit making venture'' while the Board was for ''promoting cricket at all levels''.

''ICL aims at profit making while BCCI is for promoting cricket at all levels. Consequenlty, the BCCI cannot give permission for such a cause,'' Bindra said while addressing a press conference here.

The PCA chief, though, admitted that five Punjab players shifting their allegiance to ICL had given the association a temporary setback.

''I will not say if five senior players move out, it would affect the team. However, the loss will be recovered within a short period. In the end, it will not make much difference as junior players would automatically graduate to the higher level,'' said the former BCCI president.

''The players who have joined the ICL have been misguided.

Some of them have now realised it. Laxmi Rattan Shukla has announced that he would not be joining the ICL.

''I have been told that the ICL has included a clause in the contract with the players that if there is no profit, the contract will become null and void.'' Strongly supporting the views of Bindra, PCA secretary and BCCI joint secretary M P Pandove said, ''Joining the ICL of Essel group by few players will give only a slight and temporary setback.'' ''Our junior players are equally talented. It is just a question of adjustment to the higher level of cricket.'' Asked if the PCA would take back the Punjab players who have joined the ICL if they want to comeback, Bindra quipped, ''It is for the BCCI to decide.'' Bindra said BCCI's has risen from Rs 200 crore to Rs 600 crore last year and it is likely to touch Rs 800 crore next year.

''Out the BCCI profit, 26 per cent would go to the players.

Out of 26 per cent, 13 per cent would go to the international players. Out the remaining 13 per cent for domestic cricketers, 10.4 per cent will go to the senior players and remaining 2.6 per cent to the junior players,'' Bindra added.

He also said a website for the BCCI would be launched soon.

UNI