India will ask ICC to shun WADA

[Sachinism]

The Indian board (BCCI) will suggest to the ICC that it should walk out of the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) umbrella and opt for its own cricket-specific anti-doping code. The BCCI feels that this is the only possible solution to the deadlock over this issue after its players refused to abide by a clause in the WADA code that requires them to reveal information about their whereabouts three months in advance. Cricinfo has learnt that the BCCI will propose this solution, which was formulated after a series of discussions among senior board officials over the last week, possibly as soon as the next meeting of the ICC's executive board in early October. The Indian board is confident of getting the support of other major national boards on the issue at the ICC level and expects its suggestion to be ratified in due course. On Sunday, the BCCI's decision-making working committee resolved to back its players and reject the 'whereabouts' clause in the amended WADA code, which was implemented by the ICC from January 1. This contentious clause requires cricketers in the ICC's international testing pool to reveal before every quarter details of their location for an hour every day for the next three months to facilitate out-of-competition testing. The 11 Indian players in the pool have expressed security concerns in this regard, especially because some of them such as Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni face threats from terrorist organisations. The BCCI has said that this clause, which prescribes severe penalties for defaulters including a ban for up to two years, also violates privacy guarantees provided in the Indian constitution. India's original position was that it is ready to adhere to the WADA code without the whereabouts clause but such an option has been ruled out by the anti-doping agency. Other international cricketers in the testing pool from other countries have also expressed privacy and practicality concerns about the clause but agreed to abide by it within the July 31 deadline. The BCCI and its players are clear that though there should be no compromise in the fight for a clean sport, the ICC needs to adopt a cricket-specific code where testing is done only during the 10-odd months every year when the game is played at the international level. If the ICC board ratifies India's proposed solution and rejects the WADA code, cricket cannot be part of competitions such as the Asian Games and Olympics that are organised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which has set up and promoted the Lausanne-based agency as an independent anti-doping watchdog. Such a move will also result in ICC losing the opportunity to use the Olympic movement as a vehicle to globalise the game, which will then be in danger of being further alienated on the world stage. However, a senior BCCI official who was involved in recent internal board discussions on the issue told Cricinfo that India's position was that its players need not submit to the "ridiculous and draconian" whereabouts clause. India will also reiterate its position that has been expressed at previous ICC board meetings that cricket is under no compulsion to participate in competitions under the Olympic movement. "Cricket does not need this ridiculous and draconian measure," the official said. "The only solution now is for ICC has to walk out of WADA and opt for a cricket-specific code that will put in a place a testing programme for about 10 months in a year when the game is played at the international level and probably another month during various training camps." The BCCI official also claimed that the question of cricket becoming an Olympic sport has never found favour within the the ICC board, which consists of senior representatives from 10 full member boards including India. "What's the need for cricket to become an Olympic sport?" the official said. "Contrary to public perception, the ICC board has never felt the need for such an inclusion and it has previously rejected proposals in this regard. India and other major boards like England have been against any such move." Apparently, the BCCI has also realised that the ICC's decision in 2006 to become a WADA signatory was "not a wise move"; as a member of the ICC board, India was party to that decision. "In hindsight, the ICC decision in 2006 to be a WADA signatory has turned out to be a foolish one," the official said. "It must be made clear though that the BCCI and its players are not against anti-dope testing and are keen to ensure that the sport remains clean. It's only the path to that goal that is being questioned. The WADA is an independent body set up by the IOC and cricket is under no obligation to be part of that umbrella." The BCCI is also clear that cricket cannot be clubbed with other Olympic sports in which medication can play a decisive role in determining performance. "Cricket is not like most other Olympic sport such as athletics," the official said. "Skills are paramount in cricket and muscle-enhancing and endurance-boosters do not count for much when it comes to performance. There is the odd exception but even in those cases, system abuse has only led to an early end to players' careers." The BCCI official said that the ICC board could also discuss the issue sooner, possibly over teleconference, if it feels that the matter needs to be addressed before the ICC Champions Trophy starting on September 25. Concerns about the 'whereabouts' clause in the amended WADA code is not a cricket-specific issue and has been treated as a matter of concern in other sports, particularly team sports such as football. FIFA, football's governing body, is still not completely WADA-compliant due to similar concerns and has suggested that only players they deem as high-risk be included in the testing pool. Tennis stars such as Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have also spoken out against revealing whereabouts information in advance. ---- Thats a massive step to just get rid of them. I think they are required to keep the sport clean of any cheats, but something needs to be done about that policy

[Jai Ho]

why is BCCI so powerful? I say get rid of ICC and allow BCCI to be in charge (if they arent already) :cantstop:

[kabira]

right now best thing is to meet WADA and ICC on round table.

[DomainK]

right now best thing is to meet WADA and ICC on round table.

WADA will give a finger and ask ICC to FO if they don't like what the rest of the world does not object to.

[cricketrulez]

WADA will give a finger and ask ICC to FO if they don't like what the rest of the world does not object to.

Someone needs to be smacked with a clue stick. What exactly is going to happen if BCCI/ICC doesn't please WADA? Only thing that is going to happen is WADA is going to loose the money it charges the ICC. FIFA already told WADA shove it where sun doesn't shine. So has the international cycling federation where doping is a "HUGE" problem. the rest of the cricketing boards don't have the power to do anything about it, even though FICA representing aus cricketers have already objected to this clause. In the indian cricketers case, they have the will and the power to stand up to ridiculous clauses. Cricket Stands nothing to gain by pleasing WADA. Regarding olympics and asian games, let WADA explain why baseball and soccer are exempt first.

[DomainK]

ICC can have it's own regulation. They don't need WADA. Its not that pyaar ka WADA that can not be broken. If ICC is finding it difficult, they can out source it to an Indian company.....may be BCCI?

[Lord]

ICC can have it's own regulation. They don't need WADA. Its not that pyaar ka WADA that can not be broken. If ICC is finding it difficult' date= they can out source it to an Indian company.....may be BCCI?

:cantstop:

[cricketrulez]

ICC can have it's own regulation. They don't need WADA. Its not that pyaar ka WADA that can not be broken. If ICC is finding it difficult' date=' they can out source it to an Indian company.....may be BCCI?[/quote'] Thats my point! No reason why ICC can't have its own testing program. Getting WADA's blessing is the equivalent of an individual getting blessed by some maharishi or the pope. doesn't make an iota of difference.

[Feed]

ICC may have a rethink over WADA guidelines And with the International Cricket Council’s executive board scheduled to meet in eight days’ time to discuss India’s opposition to the WADA stipulation, it is likely that the Indian cricket board might not get isolated over the issue. More... Australia foils plot to attack army base Express news service Tags : WADA, BCCI, ICC Posted: Wednesday, Aug 05, 2009 at 0506 hrs Days after the BCCI stood behind its players and rejected WADA’s ‘whereabouts’ clause, more national cricket boards are said to have a rethink about the controversial anti-doping guidelines. And with the International Cricket Council’s executive board scheduled to meet in eight days’ time to discuss India’s opposition to the WADA stipulation, it is likely that the Indian cricket board might not get isolated over the issue. A senior BCCI member, who wished not to be named, said officials from other boards had already expressed solidarity. “This isn’t about the BCCI being a financial power but more about the logic in our argument. The other boards were sceptical about the WADA guidelines but since their players had signed it, they didn’t object. But since the BCCI has raised its voice, others are expected to second our opinion,” he said. He went on to add that all that the BCCI had done was to open a debate. “If we too had toed the line, this issue would have never come up at the executive board.” There is also a growing feeling in the board that the present WADA crisis has forced the Federation of International Cricketers Association to rethink its stand. “FICA had advised all players to sign the WADA agreement that has the ‘whereabouts’ clause. And now that the Indians are objecting to it, the association’s member players are also having a problem,” said another board official. ‘Significant concerns’ That was evident from the statement made by Heath Mills, CEO of the New Zealand Cricket Players’ Association, a FICA affiliate. “We have significant concerns with the administration involved with the Registered Testing Pool requirements. It is cumbersome and very difficult for those in team sports to manage. Our players signed up since the ICC had adopted the WADA code a few years ago,” he went on to add. The New Zealand players were the first to give details about their quarterly whereabouts. Earlier this year, when other players on the International Registered Testing Pool were still mulling over the signing the WADA agreement, the 11 Kiwi players on the list had already given details of their whereabouts for three months.

[Ram]

Don’t intend to sour the mood, but just a quick question; Was there any security detail whatsoever around Sachin? Or was he just roaming around all alone with his family? How about his hotel room? Was it guarded? Not to belittle Sachinism’s efforts to meet Sach (anybody in his place would have done the same), but I am slightly amazed that you simply call up a hotel, confirm with the reception that Sachin stays there and even speak to his wife. Surely, it is a MASSIVE risk for one of India’s most high-profile celebrity and the shining pride of the nation to be walking around unescorted, even if it were in a Western country. Heavens forbid, if something untoward happens, that would be major blow to the psyche of millions of Indians, not to mention the hordes of his die-hard fans.

[CSK Fan]

Don’t intend to sour the mood, but just a quick question; Was there any security detail whatsoever around Sachin? Or was he just roaming around all alone with his family? How about his hotel room? Was it guarded? Not to belittle Sachinism’s efforts to meet Sach (anybody in his place would have done the same), but I am slightly amazed that you simply call up a hotel, confirm with the reception that Sachin stays there and even speak to his wife. Surely, it is a MASSIVE risk for one of India’s most high-profile celebrity and the shining pride of the nation to be walking around unescorted, even if it were in a Western country. Heavens forbid, if something untoward happens, that would be major blow to the psyche of millions of Indians, not to mention the hordes of his die-hard fans.

Yep, thats the first thing which came to my mind too and also about bookies

[Rajiv]

Don’t intend to sour the mood, but just a quick question; Was there any security detail whatsoever around Sachin? Or was he just roaming around all alone with his family? How about his hotel room? Was it guarded? Not to belittle Sachinism’s efforts to meet Sach (anybody in his place would have done the same), but I am slightly amazed that you simply call up a hotel, confirm with the reception that Sachin stays there and even speak to his wife. Surely, it is a MASSIVE risk for one of India’s most high-profile celebrity and the shining pride of the nation to be walking around unescorted, even if it were in a Western country. Heavens forbid, if something untoward happens, that would be major blow to the psyche of millions of Indians, not to mention the hordes of his die-hard fans.

Agree, but some receptionists really don't know much about celebrities as such. I got connected to Sharukhs room in toronto, back in 2000 where I spoke to him in a drunk state ( full story next time ) but the pt is, the phone staff is typically elsewhere and unless its VVIP like diplomats etc, they don't get a list as such..AFAIK

[Ram]

Yep' date=' thats the first thing which came to my mind too and also about bookies[/quote']

Agree' date=' but some receptionists really don't know much about celebrities as such. I got connected to Sharukhs room in toronto, back in 2000 where I spoke to him in a drunk state ( full story next time ) but the pt is, the phone staff is typically elsewhere and unless its VVIP like diplomats etc, they don't get a list as such..AFAIK[/quote'] I am waiting for Sachnism's response to whether there was at least some sort of security around. If he responds in the negative, there's one big reason why that would be shocking, apart from the primary fact that this aint our grandfather's world where everyone is nice to everyone else. There are real threats out there and sach is arguably india's highest profile celebrity right now.

[fineleg]

And UK is no New Zealand

[Rajiv]

I agree, especially being UK where half the talibani nutjobs live

[Sachinism]

Don’t intend to sour the mood, but just a quick question; Was there any security detail whatsoever around Sachin? Or was he just roaming around all alone with his family? How about his hotel room? Was it guarded? Not to belittle Sachinism’s efforts to meet Sach (anybody in his place would have done the same), but I am slightly amazed that you simply call up a hotel, confirm with the reception that Sachin stays there and even speak to his wife. Surely, it is a MASSIVE risk for one of India’s most high-profile celebrity and the shining pride of the nation to be walking around unescorted, even if it were in a Western country. Heavens forbid, if something untoward happens, that would be major blow to the psyche of millions of Indians, not to mention the hordes of his die-hard fans.

No security detail around Sachin and I'm pretty sure the room isn't guarded. Hotels will put you through to any of the guests rooms if you ask, unless they've been specifically told not to put any calls through. Regarding talking to Anjali, my cousin mentioned the name of a mutual acquaintance :) Though when we met Sachin and mentioned him, Sachin was quite confused about who he was for a moment :giggle:

[Ram]

No security detail around Sachin and I'm pretty sure the room isn't guarded. Hotels will put you through to any of the guests rooms if you ask, unless they've been specifically told not to put any calls through. Regarding talking to Anjali, my cousin mentioned the name of a mutual acquaintance :) Though when we met Sachin and mentioned him, Sachin was quite confused about who he was for a moment :giggle:

Wow, that is stunning! Does anyone else remember all the fuss about BCCI not wanting to be a signatory of the WADA mandated drug testing regime because it had a 'whereabouts' clause where the players have to declare in advance their travel plans? Then, BCCI was up in arms about how this would compromise the security of the Indian players. After all that, we now have our most high profile cricketer essentially roaming unguarded. This is very worrying.

[Mamu]

Don’t intend to sour the mood, but just a quick question; Was there any security detail whatsoever around Sachin? Or was he just roaming around all alone with his family? How about his hotel room? Was it guarded? Not to belittle Sachinism’s efforts to meet Sach (anybody in his place would have done the same), but I am slightly amazed that you simply call up a hotel, confirm with the reception that Sachin stays there and even speak to his wife. Surely, it is a MASSIVE risk for one of India’s most high-profile celebrity and the shining pride of the nation to be walking around unescorted, even if it were in a Western country. Heavens forbid, if something untoward happens, that would be major blow to the psyche of millions of Indians, not to mention the hordes of his die-hard fans.

This is exacly what my thinking was too -- If some no-name rag-tag like Sachinisim can reach him, it is a HUGE frikkin problem. Question:- Did they give you his room # to you ?

[Mamu]

I agree' date=' especially being UK where half the talibani nutjobs live[/quote'] Agree with your agreement :cantstop:

[Gunner_Mania]

This is exacly what my thinking was too -- If some no-name rag-tag like Sachinisim can reach him, it is a HUGE frikkin problem. Question:- Did they give you his room # to you ?

OUCH!