Raj Singh plays with a straight bat, vehemently denies allegations

Mumbai, Sep 6 (UNI) Former President of the Cricket Club of India (CCI) Raj Singh Dungarpur today denied all allegations of misappropriation of funds and acting in high handed manner while running the affairs of the club.

Dungarpur today in a release stated that he had been unanimously elected as the President of CCI for more than 14 years, and did everything within his powers to hold the dignity and the prestige of the club.

He further stated that he along with his team brought the club to its present height, and today it is ranked as one of the finest clubs in India.

He also noted that his career was very clear and impeccable and nobody had pointed any needle of suspicion against his conduct during the entire period.

''However, when some members, whose names I do not wish to personally mention here, raised some points relating to my administration, in the best of parliamentary tradition, I offered to resign my post as the President on August 3, 2007 in order to enable my colleagues to conduct any enquiry they wished to,'' he was quoted as saying in the release.

On his decision to contest the CCI presidentship once more, Mr Singh said in the meantime, a large number of my friends at the club prevailed upon me against my initial reluctance to contest the election once again and I had to relent to their love and affection.

At this point of time, I was told that the Executive Committee of the club had decided to appoint KPMG a well known firm of Chartered Accountants to hold an 'impartial and confidential' enquiry into the conduct and affairs during my tenure, he stated in the release, adding that ''My stand is very clear and I am prepared to face any enquiry provided it is held according to the principles and rules of natural justice.'' He also said he should be allowed to represent himself for any enquiry saying, ''to the best of my knowledge, my career has been transparent. I have always valued my dignity and integrity and the entire cricketing world knows it.'' Speaking about the installation of flood lights at the Brabourne stadium, Mr Singh said the decision to install the flood lights was approved by the entire Executive Committee. The entire procedure was transparent and as per norms and nobody could raise any doubt about the installation of flood lights and the expenses incurred on it.

The flood lights have helped the Club in hosting prestigious ICC day and night matches, he added.

''Second thing pertains to my approach to Indian Cricket League(ICL). I have never made any statement supporting the ICL and disassociating myself from BCCI. Hence to ask me to refute any statement which I have never made is ridiculous,'' he said.

UNI