da betway： Any player representative recognition by the International Cricket Council (ICC) has to be when all Test players are represented by that body
Santhosh S29-Sep-2002Any player representative recognition by the International Cricket Council (ICC) has to be when all Test players are represented by that body.When addressing a press conference at the Taj Samudra Hotel in Colombo onSaturday, ICC president Malcolm Gray and chief executive Malcolm Speed spoke in detailabout ICC’s views on the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA) and player representation.Gray said: “As a central body, it will be easier for us todeal with a body that represents the players, as compared with theindividuals.”Some countries do have well-organised players’ associations. In turnthose country player associations have come together to form FICA.However, It is the belief of the board of ICC that FICA at presentdoes not really represent all the international players,” he added.Gray explained the reasons for FICA not being recognised as theglobal players body. Without specifically naming any member boards,Gray definitely threw some darts at some members.He said: “There aresome national boards who do not believe in players being representedby player associations. A paper was presented to the ICC board to giveFICA more representation and the board didn’t agree with that.”There is a paper going forward to the next board meeting (to be heldon Monday and Tuesday in Colombo), whereby players will be given farbetter representation and voice in the management within ICC. Nowwhether that gets approved is something I can’t say,” said Gray.Having said that, Gray played the diplomatic card, “ICC respects thesovereignty and the right of the individual boards to have their ownviews, in regard to player management. It is not up to us to interferein the internal affairs of a country.”Chief executive Malcolm Speed elaborated on the player representationissue.”In seven countries there are player representative groups. In theother countries there are no such representative groups, and they arequite vigorously opposed to having player representative groups.”In October last year the management put forward a paper to the ICCboard that FICA be given limited recognition to be invited toparticipate in different forms of ICC meetings. First of all, thechief executives of the boards rejected that. They were led by thechief executives of the countries that do not have formal playerrepresentative groups.”Same recommendation went to the board and didn’t achieve thenecessary majority. For something to be resolved at the ICC executive board meeting, youneed seven of the full member countries to vote for it,” he added.The ICC management under the two Malcolms from Australia have now putthe onus on India’s BCCI to negotiate with the Indian players. Given what theICC management have to say about the player representation, it isquite apparent that the Indian players have to slug it out at homewith their board.