Two withdraw from Corporate Trophy

With BCCI limiting its budget for the Corporate Trophy,two teams have withdrawn from the season opening domestic...

With BCCI limiting its budget for the Corporate Trophy,two teams have withdrawn from the season opening domestic one-day tournament. Canara Bank and Vijaya Bank have pulled out from the tournament as the board has decided against funding the travel and accommodation of the teams. This late pull out means the BCCI will now have to restructure the tournament that is to start on September 1.

Speaking to The Indian Express the sports in-charge of Vijaya Bank Dileep Kumar said his team was unable to bear the cost of participating in the tournament. Initially they said they will bear the expenses of stay and travel and suddenly one day we are informed that we will have to bear all costs, he said.

A senior player from Canara Bank said that BCCI went back on its word. When they sent the invitation,the BCCI told us that the travel and accommodation will be taken care of. Subsequent week after confirming entries,the board changed its mind, the player said.

BCCI Chief Administrative Officer Ratnakar Shetty justified the decision. The Corporate Trophy is a domestic tournament,part of our calendar,and hence it was decided that it will be treated on par with any other domestic event. Since we dont provide any assistance to state teams,it was decided in the board meeting that the same rule will apply there also. Last year,we had just launched the Corporate Trophy,and we were experimenting with many things,but that doesnt necessarily mean that its a rule, Shetty said.