Srinath calls for public debate on KSCA allegations

Former India speedster Javagal Srinath today challenged former KSCA Secretary Brijesh Patel to hold a public debate on the series of allegations levelled by him and his associates against KSCA President Anil Kumble and his team.
"Let us have a good debate. You call Brijesh Patel and others. I am ready for a public debate (on all the allegations levelled by him and his team)," he told reporters here.
Patel had reportedly alleged that the Karnataka State Cricket Association's Managing Committee was not consulted before spending nearly Rs 4 crore for KSCA platinum jubilee celebrations.
Former KSCA President and scion of Mysore royal family Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wodeyar also alleged that the present committee had celebrated platinum jubilee four years late as elections will be held soon.

Welcoming Patel's desire to contest this year's elections, Srinath said the former India cricketer should hold a public debate and tell what he did for the development of cricket when he was at the helm of affairs.
"Being in the position what I am today, I have every right to know what is his vision and then be committed to that. Later he should be answerable to all stakeholders. This will add pressure and make him work," he added.

On commercialisation of cricket, Srinath said money was important for the development of cricket.
"We have 4 to 5 million kids playing cricket at a time and giving them a right kind of infrastructure is an herculean task. Therefore we need money to provide that," said Srinath at the meet-the-press programme organised by Press Club of Bangalore and Bangalore Reporters' Guild.

Srinath, Kumble and others have decided not to contest the next election to be held later this year and make way for a new set of office-bearers.
He appreciated the efforts of liquor baron Vijay Mallya who helped the association in setting up the State cricket academies.