NEWS
SCHEDULES
COLUMNS
PREVIOUS TOURS
OTHER SPORTS
STATISTICS
INTERVIEWS
SLIDE SHOW
ARCHIVES

Dalmiya welcomes government decision

International Cricket Council president Jagmohan Dalmiya has welcomed the government's decision to institiute a CBI inquiry into match-fixing allegations. ''It is necessary to uphold the fair name and image of cricket,'' he said.

"In fact, I had suggested it in yesterday's meeting in Delhi that a CBI inquiry should be ordered to remove doubts from the minds of the people and I am happy that the government has ordered such an inquiry,'' he said.

He said he had nothing against the Delhi police but the people in general were feeling let down because of allegations and counter allegations.

''I said the government should consider a CBI inquiry since people have confidence in the investigating agency," he said

Dalmiya had pointed out at yesterday's meeting with sports minister Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa that the CBI was the best investigating agency to deal with such allegations.

"If you gave it to the CBI people would accept the outcome of the investigations and would not feel that the proceedings were covered up,'' he told the meeting, which was attended by past and present India cricketers and officials of the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

He said the image of the game, the controlling board and the government would be maintained if the CBI was given the responsibility of conducting the investigation.

''Now I am sure people will accept the outcome of the investigation, whatever it may be. I also urge them to resist from making wild allegations through various media," he added.

The ICC chief said those making allegations should now come forward, furnish details and lodge complaints with the CBI so that "a proper and expeditious inquiry" could be completed.

Earlier during the day, sports minister Dhindsa had announced in the Lok Sabha that the CBI will conduct an inquiry into match-fixing allegations.

Since the Hansie Cronje scandal erupted, a few former Indian cricketers and administrators have levelled allegations of match-fixing and betting against some of their colleagues.

UNI