After ICL Essel Group plans to form International cricket governing body of its own

After ICL Essel Group plans to form International cricket governing body of its own: The Essel Group is ready to start their second innings in cricket governing after its first venture the Indian Cricket League was organized twice in 2007 and 2009 only to be disbanded. The rebel Twenty 20 tournament did attract a few players and former cricketers from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh among others.

This time they have a bigger plan of starting an International cricket governing body, as they wish to expand cricket beyond the Common Wealth nations who are already playing the game.

A press release made by the company stated, “Essel Group is now geared up to enter the sports business at a global level, focusing on Cricket, since it has been limited to Commonwealth countries. Our research reflects that there is an immense opportunity to make it a global sport,”

Earlier there were reports that former IPL Chairman Lalit Modi who has been exiled from the BCCI will be a part of the venture and is helping them in setting things up. The Essel Group has clearly stated that there will be no direct involvement of Mr. Modi whatsoever.

“We would also like to clarify that Lalit Modi has no linkage whatsoever with Essel Group in this initiative. Essel Group is independently taking up this initiative on its own accord,”

Lalit Modi too maintained that he had no involvement with it; while the former BCCI man tweeted to wish Subhash Chandra the Essel Group chairman good luck for his new venture. He tweeted, “I wish @_SubhashChandra all the best in this new venture. I have nothing to do with it. But we need a rival body,”

Federation of International Cricketers’ Association (FICA) chief executive Tony Irish responding to the news and claims of separate competitive bodies being set up at all major cricket playing nation’s like Australia, New Zealand along with India and England was quoted by The Sydney Morning Herald saying, “There is always going to be interest from players in events irrespective of what history has occurred. Obviously there will be some reticence from players based on what has happened but I don’t think you can discount the fact that players will be interested,”

Along with that he said since there is so much cricket being played all over the world including domestic and T20 tournaments, though a few players are ought to get attracted, the boards will have to stay on their toes and be active to ensure not many players move that way.

He said, “International cricket and mainstream cricket have got to be on their toes to keep their players. But that’s the case as it is anyway because players have got opportunities in approved T20 leagues around the world at the moment and a lot of players I think are looking to just go that route. So whether this event happens or doesn’t happen I think the boards have got to be on their toes,”