By IANS
Kolkata : At least 68 of the 121 Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) members Monday sought 70 percent of the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) proceeds be equally distributed amongst them to resolve the stalemate over grant sharing.
The members submitted a memorandum to the CAB joint secretaries a day before the association’s special general meeting (SGM), demanding that 70 percent of the IPL grant of Rs 100 million be equally distributed among the members for development of the game.
CAB president Prasun Mukherjee has called the SGM to iron out the differences on holding IPL matches at the Eden Gardens here. The Twenty20 tournament starts April 18.
While the IPL proposes to give 20 percent tickets to the hosting association, CAB members have demanded 30 percent and a bigger pie of the IPL grant to CAB.
Jagmohan Dalmiya, former president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), could represent the dissident group at the SGM as a nominee of Rajasthan Club, an affiliate CAB member.
“I have been approached by several members. Let’s see,” Dalmiya told IANS.
Gautam Dasgupta, a former BCCI joint secretary and the spokesperson for the rival faction, told the media 68 members have formally sent the memorandum to the CAB joint secretaries.
“First of all we want to make clear that we want the IPL matches to be held in Eden Gardens, contrary to what is been whispered around in the corridors of the clubhouse,” he said later.
“Secondly, the sharing of tickets can be solved later. We feel that this is an opportunity for the CAB to further develop the game in the state through its affiliated units, utilising the grants by ploughing back the money into cricket.”
Dasgupta said the money could be used to improve the infrastructure.
“We propose that 70 percent of this grant should be utilised equally among the affiliated units for up-gradation of and maintenance of the available infrastructure as well as for proper functioning of the units,” he said.
“The balance amount of the grant should be used for procuring and/or purchasing grounds in all districts of the state.”
Dasgupta said with seven matches to be played at the Eden Gardens, a grant of Rs 100 million is being given for hosting the matches. CAB would further get a grant of Rs 5 million per match as organising fee.
CAB comprises 121 members, of which 94 are clubs, one office team, 18 district teams and eight universities.
Mukherjee did not say much, except that the “IPL matches will happen in Kolkata. I have nothing more to say”.