Magpie Group to approach ICC over new cricket league

Delhi-based Magpie Sports Group (MSG) will approach the International Cricket Council (ICC) to organise a new cricket league -- Indian Champions League (ICL) -- in Dubai, on the lines of the Masters Champions League (MCL).

But the proposed league has already run into problems, with the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations (FICA) cautioning cricketers against joining the league as it has not been approved by the appropriate authorities.

FICA is the global players' representative body that includes player associations from individual countries.

"FICA has been advised that the proposed 'Indian Champions League' event scheduled to take place in December 2016 is not yet sanctioned," FICA was quoted as saying by espncricinfo.

"Accordingly, players are advised that playing in this event could have negative implications on their careers. The event is currently deemed to be disapproved under ICC Regulations."

But an ICL official on Thursday lashed out at the FICA for trying to prevent players from participating in the proposed tournament.

"Since the ICL hasn't yet approached the ICC, how can FICA issue a warning in advance? It's like a baby being killed even before its birth," the official told IANS on condition of anonymity.

The official said MSG has earlier approached the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which rejected the proposal outright.

"We had approached the BCCI, but why will BCCI allow another tournament like Indian Premier League (IPL) in India? They have rejected it as their revenue will be shared if another tournament of such stature is organised in the country," he said.

The official further said that they will decide on the venues for the ICL in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) only after discussions with the ICC later this month.

Asserting that the ICL will provide a platform for youngsters and current players to learn from former international stars, the official confirmed that a lot of Indian players have contacted them.

He, however, refrained from naming any of the Indian players but said that former Sri Lankan stars Sanath Jayasuriya, Chaminda Vaas, Upul Tharanga and New Zealand's Jacob Oram have already confirmed their participation.

He said the tournament format will comprise a total of 52 matches, including the two semi-finals and the final, with eight franchises playing six matches each in the league stage.

The price cap for the players has been fixed between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 20 lakh with the winning team taking home a purse of Rs 1 crore.

The Magpie Sports Group (MSG) deals in sports equipment and apparel and organises sports events.

(Tridib Baparnash can be contacted at tridib.b@ians.in)

--IANS

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