India Sports Minister Jitendra Singh has sent the draft of the National Sports Development Bill to the leaders of various political parties of both the Houses and eminent sportspersons, "inviting their comments on the proposed bill," according to the PTI. The Union Council of Ministers, Leaders of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, States/UTs Sports Ministers and Standing Committee/Consultative Members of Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports "have been sent the Draft Sports Bill for their views." In his letter, Jitendra "stressed on the importance of bringing about transparency and good governance in sports in the country." Jitendra: "The Government has been highlighting for some time now the need for bringing about reforms in the management and governance of sports in order to make it more responsive, responsible and result-oriented" (PTI, 7/22).
RELATIONSHIP ISSUES: The AP reported former Int'l Cricket Council CEO Haroon Lorgat said on Monday he was "saddened" by what he called his "poor relationship" with India's board, a situation that led to the "powerful" Board of Control for Cricket in India even expressing its opposition to him leading South African cricket. The South African said that "he was still not completely sure what the BCCI's problems with him were, but he wanted to smooth them over." He said that an ICC ethics officer "had cleared him of any wrongdoing relating to working outside his remit at the world body," but did not elaborate further. Lorgat said, "I will do my level best to understand what the issues are with those who are not happy. If I need to sit across the table, go to India, whatever it takes" (AP, 7/22).
