Railways mulling 25-year deal with ICL

Sarnath, Varanasi, Aug 25 (UNI) Reiterating support to Essel-Promoted Indian Cricket League (ICL), Union Railway Minister Lalu Prasad today said Indian Railways is examining the possibility of signing a 25-year contract with the 'rebel' cricket league.

He also reiterated that Railways was ready to give its grounds to anyone who makes good payment and also thinks in the development of sports.

''ICL will give the much needed competitive edge to Indian cricket, which has been managed unfairly by the BCCI. We are presently weighing our options at signing a 25-year deal with the ICL and are ready to give our grounds to anyone else who pays for it and also believes in promoting the cause of Indian sports,'' Mr Prasad told newspersons here.

''Even the Eden Gardens has been given by Cricket Association of Bengal for holding ICL matches, then why should the Indian Railways shy away from giving its ground for use by the ICL,'' Mr Prasad, also the chairman of Bihar Cricket Association (BCA) said.

''The BCCI through an unfair selection policy has not helped the cause of the game which is a religion in the country,'' he added.

''Look at talents in our own backyard like Avinash Yadav and Mohd Kaif, who were lying in cold due to the unfair selection policy of the BCCI. Even our BCA is yet to be recognised by the BCCI which proves the hollow committment of BCCI toward infusing a competitive spirit in the game.'' ''It will be great for the future of Indian cricket to have two leagues, one of BCCI and another the rebel ICL. Let the best players from both leagues come out and represent the country internationally.'' UNI