Kalmadi not in favour of cricket in Asian, Commonwealth Games

Doha, Dec 14 (UNI) Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Suresh Kalmadi today voiced his strong opposition to a reported move to include cricket in the Asian Games.

''I am not in favour of including cricket in either the Asian or Commonwealth Games,'' Kalmadi replied to a question whether he was aware of the Olympic Council of Asia's (OCA's) move to discuss the inclusion of the sport in the Games.

''I am not keen on cricket, it overshadows all other Olympic sports in India and if it is included in Asian Games, other sports will suffer,'' he added.

''I am not against cricket but it is not a part of the Olympic movement and we are all here as supporters of the Olympic movement,'' he said.

Kalmadi was of the view that in every other country there were more than three or four sports at equal footings but in India there was only cricket and it had become a sort of religion so if included in the continental extravaganza, it would dwarf other disciplines.

''Also,'' the IOA chief added, ''cricket has a very tight schedule and I don't think they will be able to send their best possible teams for these Games so the whole purpose will be lost.'' Kalmadi urged the sports administrators that they should try to concentrate in promoting and developing the Olympic disciplines.

''We need focused approach towards popularising the disciplines in Asian and Commonwealth Games and any diversion will effect them,'' he opined.

UNI HSB DH KN1915