Bindra, Lalit Modi leave for UAE
Posted on Aug 02, 2008 at 20:02 | Updated Aug 03, 2008 at 08:55
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Mumbai: The identity of the UAE Royal Family showing interest in hosting the Champions League Twenty20 is known and the two different independent sources in UAE have confirmed that His Highness Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan is actually keen.
He is the Abu Dhabi-based United Arab Emirates Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and also the Chancellor of two of the UAE's three government-sponsored institutions of higher learning. He is also holding the top position in Abu Dhabi Cricket Council Board.
And there seems to be a race between the Indian cricket board (BCCI) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to approach the Royal Family (through IMG) for hosting the Champions League.
And contrary to the reports of the inaugural tournament to be staged in India, the chances of it being played in UAE are not ruled out either.
The IPL chairman and the BCCI vice-president Lalit Modi left for UAE on Friday and may negotiate also on behalf of Cricket Australia (CA) and Cricket South Africa (CSA), the co-owners of the inaugural Champions League scheduled to be held in India from September 29.
No representative from either of these two co-owners is in Dubai and the power is apparently given to Lalit Modi, it is learnt.
The Royal Family is the same backer England spoke of earlier. The ECB is likely to discuss about their league in Board meeting in London on Monday.
Sheikh Nahayan is Chairman of WARID Telecom International (a regional telecoms group based out of Abu Dhabi with operations in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Georgia, Uganda, Congo Brazzaville, and Ivory Coast). He is also recipient of Pakistan's highest civilian award, the 'Hilal-e-Pakistan', which was conferred upon him by the President of Pakistan in 2005.
Former BCCI president IS Bindra is also in Dubai possibly to resolve the crisis between the ICC and the League owners about the timing of the competition. Bindra may also discuss about his position with the ICC as principal advisor.
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Posted By Sai Bharadwaj
BCCI are asking for risk. Gulf Country is mainly chosen for financial benefits but they need to understand the risk
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