The game of cricket returned to the Asian Games last year with the Indian men’s and women’s team securing the gold. While the BCCI sent the full-strength women’s side led by Harmanpreet Kaur, the men’s team, captained by Ruturaj Gaikwad-led side, largely consisted of fringe players.
To globalize the sport, former international shotgun shooter and veteran sports administrator Randhir Singh on Wednesday called upon the BCCI to send the best cricket teams to the Asian Games.
“Till now, they (BCCI) only send the ‘B’ team, which is a counter-bullet for them because you cannot popularise a sport (globally) if you are not strong in your continent. You cannot expect Europe or somebody else or South America to include cricket in their continental game,” Randhir was quoted as saying by PTI.
“So I was very keen… as much as possible, especially India, as we are the leaders (in cricket) in Asia, the BCCI should make an effort and introduce cricket…I see many countries sending their men’s and women’s teams, but still India are the No. 1 team.
“However, some of the top players never went, which is wrong because everyone is playing at that level. It’s more sensible to send the ‘A’ team,” he added.
India did not send its cricket team for the 2010 Guangzhou and 2014 Incheon Asian Games but fielded both the men’s and women’s sides at Hangzhou, and the latter squad, however, had all the top players like captain Harmanpreet Kaur and dashing opener Smirti Mandhana while securing a top-podium finish.
“I have explained to the BCCI many times to send the No. 1 team. Sport is not only about money; it’s about competing also and creating an atmosphere of brotherhood. Now, if you talk about receiving money, or talk about money, I mean, you’ll kill the sport,” he added.
Randhir also advocated the need for India and Pakistan to maintain a sporting culture and said contrary to perception, the neighbours have backed them whenever the need has arisen.
“I think Pakistan is keen to maintain a relationship in sports with us. Their Olympic committee officials will be here (for the OCA General Assembly on September 8). We should encourage (sports interaction), instead of travelling hundreds of miles (to play games).
“If it’s a question of visibility of a particular sport, nothing sells more in India than India-Pakistan games,” he said.
“I remember when India bid for the 2010 Commonwealth Games, the propaganda from Canada (who had also bid for the CWG) against India’s bid was that India and Pakistan borders are next door and the Kargil thing had just happened…and all sorts of things are possible, and the Games will get jeopardised.
“Our name was proposed by Pakistan. At that time Latif Butt was the POA secretary-general. When he heard it (Canada’s propaganda), he said ‘We will propose India’s name’.
“What has happened is a political division of the country. But that doesn’t stop us from being together. We are friends abroad, we are friends in the sporting arena,” he added.
(With PTI Inputs)
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