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Journalism of Courage
Former Bangladesh cricket coach Jamie Siddons says ex-captain Mohammad Ashraful shouldnt be judged too harshly for his involvement in match-fixing because he was likely ensnared by the powerful beast of underworld gambling at an early age.
Siddons,who now coaches New Zealands Wellington province,told the Dominion-Post newspaper he alerted the Bangladesh Cricket Board and International Cricket Council to the threat of spot fixing during his four-year term as Bangladesh coach from 2007 to 2011.
Ashraful admitted to match- and spot-fixing in the Bangladesh Premier League after being suspended by the BCB on Tuesday. He is being investigated by the ICC. The Australian-born Siddons said he wasnt surprised to hear of Ashrafuls involvement,saying its disappointing but I dont think its surprising. Its a powerful beast the underworld gambling.
Siddons said he made my thoughts known a while ago to the (Bangladesh) cricket board and the ICC, warning of the threat of spot fixing. He said young players were often vulnerable to financial temptation and Ashraful was probably sought out by the match-fixers while still in his teens.
People like Ashraful,hes got 15 people living in his house,he feeds probably five families and on a cricketers wage, Siddons said. Over there its near impossible so you can almost understand. Its a different world than we live in. Its a tough world for him. Siddons said he feels disappointed for his former charge. Hes a great young kid … He probably got roped in as a 15 year old,when he first started,by some other people. I feel a bit sorry for him but I dont condone it at all.
Anti-fixing law in SL
New Delhi: The Sri Lankan government is mulling to bring a tough anti-corruption law to check unfair practices in sports. We are working on its draft. It will have strict provisions such as life ban if anyone is found guilty of fixing. I will send the draft to the cabinet and after its approval,it will be passed by the Parliament. The whole process will take around six months, Sri Lankas Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said.
Aluthgamage vowed to put in place a proper mechanism to to combat ill practices in the Sri Lankan Premier League. Naturally,we will be much more alert this time in the wake of what has happened in the IPL and BPL. The Board (SLC) will work with ICCs anti-corruption unit officials during the league, he said.
Aluthgamage also ridiculed reports which said the SLPL franchise owners were pulling out over losses incurred in the first edition. The SLPL will go ahead as scheduled and theres no doubt about that, he informed.
The second edition of the SLPL will be held from August 10 to September 7 this year. Ajit Jayashekhra,the tournament director ,also termed the allegations baseless when asked about reports of some of the Indian bookies owning the SLPL franchises.
