Former International Cricket Council CEO Malcolm Speed has dismissed suggestions that India is trying to take over the sport by flexing its financial muscle, insisting that such apprehensions are too far-fetched.
"There is too much fear of an Indian takeover and the power of the Indian administrators," Speed told the Sydney Morning Herald.
"Cricket's unique selling point is the passion for cricket by Indians -- cricket is the most popular sport by a factor of about 30 in the second-most populous country in the world. This should be seen as a major positive. The game needs to find ways to use that unique selling point," he added.
The above is the excerpts from the interview of Mr. Malcom Speed, the former CEO of ICC. I am not very much clear about his intentions behind making these statements. Whether he wanted to point out the dominating Indian muscle power in international cricket or he wanted to just dismiss the recent allegations of Indian dominance by few of the cricket boards and media. Whatever the reason may be, but one thing becomes clear. Speed or the other officials of CA, ECB or for that matter any official of the developed nations is self-obsessed and big time hypocrite. They love any principle till the time it puts them in the comfort zone and benefits them.
Though I am not going to write about the recent bail-outs, import quota, or fixed exchange rate to floating exchange rates drama. But, the recent happenings has made one thing clear that these developed nations just talk of morality, principals, and equity but hardly put these in practice. After lambasting the developing countries for their protectionism and socialist approach, these so called developed countries (run by the intellectuals!) has turned to socialism to protect their market. What happened suddenly? Has the basic ideologies of socialism and capitalism changed? These question will be debated for times to come. So, let me look at the world cricket form this angle. Cricket is not isolated from the world politics and economics.
Starting from 90s, 1996 world cup to be more precise, there has been a drastic shift of power in world cricket. India emerged as unchallenged power in controlling the cricket. This was not because of the mercy or kindness of white skinned cricket administrators. Credit goes totransparent or non-transparent cricket administrators of India and rising Indian economy. Today revenue generated by the Indian cricket is 30 times more than that of its nearest competitor, as said by Mr. Speed. So, naturally India is a much bigger fish in the pond of world cricket nowadays than Australia or England were during pre-90 era. By virtue of their opportunist tendency, CA, ECB have started to talk about responsibility, equity and many more globe terms (these terms look better on paper not in practice! or say it like..these terms look better only when you are expecting these from the other party).
Let me clarify my stand. I am not a fan of socialist ideology. I strongly blieve that socialism can never be a good thing in practice. It may be good only for intellectual discussions, simply timepass with tea, or ideological debate under high spirits caused by spirit! It can never be practical. So, Mr. Sutherland (CA), or Mr. Speed prepare yourself to watch the show in coming years. I request you to just look at the pre-90 era of world cricket and think how responsibly and equitably you have behaved? I even don't think that India's sun will be always rising in the world of cricket. Let few more Bindra, Vijendra come to the scene and India will shift its focus from cricket to some other sports. It was you people who were in a notion that white skinned people will always be ruling cricket.
Sorry Mr. Speed, mr. Sutherland....whoever is concerned! Cricket too has its cycle like business! Be patience to come out of this recession (may be it would turn out to a great depression for you!).
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