Centre rejects BCCI proposal to play in Sharjah

Union Minister of State for Sports Uma Bharti on Saturday rejected the Board of Control for Cricket in India's proposal for the Indian team to play a triangular series involving Pakistan and Bangladesh in Sharjah from February 8 to 11 to mobilise funds for victims of the Gujarat earthquake.

However, she welcomed the Board's intention, which was to collect aid for the quake victims.

"I am happy with the BCCI's suggestion that Rs 20 crore can be raised through the Sharjah match. But Rs 200 crore can be raised if our team plays matches with the film stars in the country," she said.

BCCI Secretary J Y Lele had on Friday announced that the government had given the 'go-ahead' for the series and said the official communication from the ministry concerned would be received on February 5.

The idea of playing in Sharjah was first mooted by the Asian Cricket Council at its meeting in Lahore on February 1.

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Mail Cricket Editor