The head of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) "has launched a scathing attack on India over its refusal to enter a cricket team at the Asian Games, saying its decision was 'killing' the sport," according to Julian Linden of REUTERS. The Board of Control for Cricket in India said that its players "were too busy with their other commitments." The Asian Games "clashed with the lucrative Champions League Twenty20 taking place in India."
OCA President Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah said that "India's stance was short-sighted and damaging the game." He said, "They are killing cricket, limiting the NOCs (National Olympic Committees) participating in cricket and killing the market. Sorry to say this as a sports fan, but this is the reality. This is why cricket is only a Commonwealth sport."
India" has also opposed the inclusion of cricket at other multi-sports events, including the Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games, a stance that has put them at odds with other cricketing nations and players." Sheikh Ahmad, one of the most powerful men in the Olympic movement, said that the OCA "could not force India to compete at the Asian Games but he was disappointed by its stance." He said,
"I'm sorry that the Indian delegate did not attend. The people in charge want money. This is not a sport, this is business" (REUTERS, 10/4).
ALL ABOUT BUSINESS: THE HINDU's Stand Rayan reported Sheikh Ahmad "felt that the Indian board’s action is spoiling the chances of many young players." He said, "Things may change in future…but now, they are looking at the business view more than the sports view." He also said that the existence of the Asian Games "was not in danger despite Vietnam backing out from hosting the 2018 edition and Indonesia winning the right to host the next edition in Jakarta without any contest." Sheikh Ahmad: "We gave the next Games to Indonesia because they were in the bid in the first race but China is willing to host it any time, Bangkok too" (THE HINDU, 10/4). PAKISTAN TODAY reported Sheikh Ahmad said that women’s basketball teams at future Asian Games "could be allowed to wear hijabs thanks to the stand taken by Qatar’s players at the Incheon Asiad." Basketball "is the only sport at the Games which enforces such a rule" and Sheikh Ahmad said that "it went against Olympic ideals of fairness and equality." He said, "I am upset about the hijab. The hijab is related to culture, not religion. It has been approved in all sports on the Olympic programme, only basketball (has not)" (PAKISTAN TODAY, 10/4).
