Kumble faces 'conflict of interest' charges ; he clears the air on the row

[saneindian]

Former India captain Anil Kumble has fended off allegations of conflict of interest in a report which claims that his role as director of a player management firm called Tenvic is incompatible with other key administrative posts held by the leg-spinning great. Kumble - who is also the president of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), the chairman of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and a mentor with the IPL team Royal Challengers Bangalore - is in a position to influence the selection of players managed by Tenvic, the latest issue of Outlook magazine quoted sources as saying. Two Karnataka players who have been selected to play for India in the upcoming series against England - Vinay Kumar and S Aravind - are also with Tenvic, the magazine reports. Following recent disclosures that commentators Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri are on the payroll of the Indian board to air "official BCCI opinion", Kumble is the third cricketing icon facing charges of taking on roles which are in direct conflict with each other. Kumble has rejected the allegations. A source has been quoted as saying, "As president of the KSCA, he (Kumble) is in a position to appoint selectors, who (in turn) would be in a position to choose players who have signed up with Kumble. As RCB mentor, he's in a position to make decisions that could benefit his boys. And, of course, his company Tenvic would charge players for services provided, including getting them endorsement contracts." Tenvic, named after Kumble's incredible feat of taking 10 wickets in an innings in 1999, was launched in January this year to promote sports at the grassroots level. Its directors are Kumble, his brother Dinesh and former table tennis player Vasanth Bharadwaj. Tenvic, apart from mentoring players, also looks after their commercial interests, according to the report. Kumble, on his part, told Outlook, "I don't see any conflict of interest here. The positions with the KSCA and NCA are honorary jobs, and I have to look after myself. At this stage of my career, I have to do that. Otherwise, you'd have to become like Gandhi and give up everything." The report quoted KSCA sources as saying that several young state players were worried about being pressurized to sign up with Tenvic. "Such a situation came about earlier this year when Manish Pandey, a Karnataka player, was allegedly pressurised by both the RCB and Rajasthan Royals to join them", the report said, adding that Pandey had complained to then - BCCI chief Shashank Manohar. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/top-stories/Kumble-faces-conflict-of-interest-charges/articleshow/10261141.cms Now Kumble gets caught in this 'conflict of interest' fight. May have to give up his position with the Sports Management Company to steer clear of the controversy. Hope he doesn't quit the KSCA or NCA positions.

[rkt.india]

@SI Sports management company is his own company and Dont think he will leave that. He will resign from KSCA most probably. Why can't BCCI pay for these posts?

[The Realist]

I thought Kumble was a shrewd operator but signing up bioth Vinay Koomar & Aravind smacks of shocking business planning and a clear lack of strategy :giggle:

[asterix]

As I said earlier..There was a Karnataka lobby working in the background to get pathetic trundlers getting selected in the Indian team..They could've got some pathetic batsmen to get selected. Instead, this lobby decided to hit Indian team where it hurts the most..Already the Indian bowling has been weak and on top of that they pushed for these pathetic trundlers, who might even not get chance to get in Canada or Afghanistan team..

[retterimp]

As I said earlier..There was a Karnataka lobby working in the background to get pathetic trundlers getting selected in the Indian team..They could've got some pathetic batsmen to get selected. Instead' date= this lobby decided to hit Indian team where it hurts the most..Already the Indian bowling has been weak and on top of that they pushed for these pathetic trundlers, who might even not get chance to get in Canada or Afghanistan team..

:hysterical::hysterical::hysterical:

[bulbul]

As I said earlier..There was a Karnataka lobby working in the background to get pathetic trundlers getting selected in the Indian team..They could've got some pathetic batsmen to get selected. Instead' date=' this lobby decided to hit Indian team where it hurts the most..Already the Indian bowling has been weak and on top of that they pushed for these pathetic trundlers, who might even not get chance to get in Canada or Afghanistan team..[/quote'] when neighbours whistle podus trying to ,put master batsmen into Team whats wrong in putting couple of super trundlers.. On serious note he has to leave KSCA, he is also involved with RCB...but entire Indian cricket is filled with peoples having multiple interests he is one more thats all..

[IKnowU]

What does this make Srinivasan then? :headshake:

[bulbul]

What does this make Srinivasan then? :headshake:

now be ready.....Universal soldier will appear :winky:

[asterix]

Look, I've got over this conflict of interest issues..as long as it doesn't HURTS the Indian team.. In this case, it's directly hurting the Indian team..

[bulbul]

Look' date=' I've got over this conflict of interest issues..as long as it doesn't HURTS the Indian team.. In this case, it's directly hurting the Indian team..[/quote'] Nothing hurting...just u r imagination....we won the most important tourney.. Regarding selection of VK agreed he is not international. Class...but his First class record is very good...you have to give some chance to honest triers also or else why should they have to struggle in domestic tournment year after year... Stop domestic tourney itself just conduct a Net session measure speed and select people...just becuase u r genius doesnt mean normmal people like us always live in basement :winky:

[master22]

As I said earlier..There was a Karnataka lobby working in the background to get pathetic trundlers getting selected in the Indian team..They could've got some pathetic batsmen to get selected. Instead' date=' this lobby decided to hit Indian team where it hurts the most..Already the Indian bowling has been weak and on top of that they pushed for these pathetic trundlers, who might even not get chance to get in Canada or Afghanistan team..[/quote'] how do you regularly come up with so many conspiracy theories:sherlock: if there was any lobby of that sort then why has uthappa and pandey not been selected!!

[Chandan]

how do you regularly come up with so many conspiracy theories:sherlock: if there was any lobby of that sort then why has uthappa and pandey not been selected!!

No conspiracy theories here! Pandey and Uthappa are not with Tenvic. Read the article here, if you have patience: LINK

Finger Spun Into All Pies Will Anil KumbleÃÔ corporate suit avatar blacken his glittering cricketing whites? ROHIT MAHAJAN Sticky Wickets, Heavy Ball Kumble is KSCA president, RCB chief mentor and NCA chairman His company, Tenvic, has signed up Karnataka team players to ÁÎentor them. It looks after their commercial interests. A clear conflict of interest. And one that is simply unbecoming of a player of his immense stature. *** With the pedigree of being the greatest matchwinning bowler in the history of Indian cricket to fall back on, not one eyelid was batted when Anil Kumble was made president of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA). Nor did they blink when he was designated the chief mentor of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Or even when he was given the chairmanship of the National Cricket Academy (NCA). After all, a man who had for so very long been a tireless workhorse for team and country could never be given too many feathers in his cap. What would come as a surprise to most people, though, is the lesser-known hat that he sports, that of a player-manager at Tenvic, the company which ÁÎentors and represents young players. Two players, Vinay Kumar and S. Aravind, both from his state team Karnataka, have been selected to play for India in their ÁÈrudge home series against England. Å¢ny conflict of interest is just unacceptable. It does not matter whether it is Anil Kumble or a less known player.DZeter Roebuck, Cricket Writer Ūn essence, as president of the KSCA, he is in a position to appoint selectors, who (in turn) would be in a position to choose players who have signed up with Kumble, says a KSCA source. Å¢s RCB chief mentor, he is in a position to make decisions that could benefit his boys. And, of course, his company Tenvic would charge players fees for services provided, including getting them endorsement contracts, the source adds. Kumble is, without any qualification, a man to be admired: a peerless fighter as a player, an articulate man who holds a special appeal to the English-speaking city-dweller; he conducted himself with dignity during the Sydney Test controversy in Australia in 2008. Post-retirement, he stoked the hopes of cricket lovers when he and his supporters swept the KSCA elections last year. We all want top cricketers to run the sport, do we not? But do we really want them to have a free run of the whole farm too? Syed Kirmani, the celebrated former India wicketkeeper, who was a KSCA selector till this year, asks, Å©ow is he able to perform all those different jobs? Well, thatÃÔ a question youÃ×e got to ask him. And thatÃÔ just what Outlook did. Ū cannot believe it, and I do not want to believe it either. I do not want to sully the image that I have of Anil Kumble.Ç£ishan Singh Bedi, Former India Captain DoesnÃÕ he think that his positionÍÐr positions, ratherÍÊnvolves a conflict of interests? ůo, I do not think so, Kumble responded. Ū do not see any conflict of interest here. I am very clear in my mind about this. The important thing is to focus on what you are trying to achieve, and I am trying to do that. But apart from being above board, is it not important to be seen to be above board, too? Ū focus on what has to be done, not on what people might be thinking, he replied. ŵhe positions with the KSCA and NCA are honorary jobs, and I have to look after myself. At this stage of my career, I have to do that. Otherwise, you would have to become like Gandhi and give up everything. Tenvic, named after KumbleÃÔ incredible 10-wicket haul in the second innings of that magical Test match in Delhi during PakistanÃÔ 1999 tour, was launched in January this year to promote sports at the grassroots level. Its directors: Kumble, his brother Dinesh and former table tennis player Vasanth Bharadwaj. It claims a strong non-profit slant, but there is a commercial aspect too. Bharadwaj told Outlook: Ÿhat we are trying is to bring in an intervention which creates a certain maturity in the ecosystem. These sportspersons donÃÕ have the necessary background or training to deal with the sudden bursts of attention. He confirmed that Tenvic also looks after the commercial interests of the players, because ÅÊt doesnÃÕ make any sense for someone to do the mentoring and someone else to do the commercial handling? Outlook talked with a Tenvic player, who said the agency works to get them ÅÄontracts and all? but added that he hadnÃÕ received any advice on dealing with the media. KSCA sources say several young players are worried that if they get a call from Tenvic to sign up with them, they would be hard pressed to say no to the company floated by the president of their state association. Such a situation allegedly came to pass earlier this year when Manish Pandey, a Karnataka player, was being pressured by both the RCB and Rajasthan Royals to join their respective squads. Outlook has it on good authority that Pandey had submitted a complaint about this to the then bcci president Shashank Manohar. Å©ow is he able to perform all those roles? Well, that is a question that you have got to ask Anil Kumble.Ç´yed Kirmani, Former India Wicketkeeper However, the news about KumbleÃÔ conflict of interest is greeted with disbelief by past stalwarts. Former Test player Bishan Singh Bedi told Outlook, Ū canÃÕ believe it, I donÃÕ want to believe it. I donÃÕ want to sully the image I have of him. Australian cricket writer Peter Roebuck, another Kumble admirer, told Outlook, ?The) conflict is clear, and conflict of interest is unacceptable. It happens in England in cricket and soccer and compromises those involved. The Arsenal chairmanÃÔ son is an agent for several players. It does not matter whether it is Anil Kumble or a lesser figure. The principle is the same. Multiple roles and business interests may have prevented Kumble from focusing on his KSCA responsibilities. Veteran sports journalist Vedam Jaishankar, who has known Kumble for years, says: ŵhey have done a lot of talk, but they have not walked their talk. So far we have not seen any progress. If anything, there has been a regression. Adds another source, Ūn principle, the idea of sportspersons running sports is fantastic. But it requires experience and they are learning on the job, but things are at a low ebb now. He lists some of the controversies thatÃ×e arisen: During the ICC World Cup this year, after the venue for the England-India match had been shifted from Calcutta to Bangalore, there was a furore over the number of tickets made available for sale to the general public. KSCA officials said the ICC had held back about 10,000 tickets, but ICC CEO Haroon Lorgat said the number was less than 1,000. Karnataka MLAs alleged that Kumble was awarding KSCA contracts to friends. Syed Kirmani and another former India player, Raghuram Bhatt, were sacked as selectors and were not even informed. Ūt showed what sort of respect they had for us, but I do not want to rake this up now, Kirmani says. The KSCA press box was converted into an air-conditioned box and its seating capacity was brought down from 250 to 120. The frame for the glass front mars the view. Bangalore journalists exchanged words with Kumble over this issue. The Shafi Darashah tournament used to be an important one that helped identify local talent, pitting Ranji level players against upcoming Karnataka players. The format has since been changed to include teams from outside the state. And, incredibly, the final this year was a 50-over contest, though the group matches were four-day games! Sources, therefore, say Kumble and his team need to devote more time and consideration to their KSCA responsibilities. Kumble laughs this off, saying heÃÔ completely focused on the job. And though Kumble still has two years left to implement his schemes, itÃÔ fair to say that KumbleÃÔ reign has, so far, matched up to neither the hype nor the fans hopes.

[SachDan]

What does this make Srinivasan then? :headshake:

huh? weren't we all excited when a person of Kumble's stature was elected as the President of KCA? now in less than twelve months timevwe're forced to compare his "interests" with a pure businessman like N.Srinivasan. That's sad, really sad :((

[Malcolm Merlyn]

THIS is why we are stuck with vinay Koomar........andnow that Arvind guy.......anyone saw how Arvind was caned in the recent CLT20...

[Sachin=GOD]

Conflicting interests: Kumble's position is untenable Pradeep Magazine October 08, 2011

Nothing can be more distressing for a sports fan than to find out that the player he idolizes for his achievements on the field is a "compromised" individual off it. We, somehow, attribute qualities of integrity, strong moral fibre and a will to fight against all sorts of adversities to a sportsman who has given us intense moments of joy with his skilful display while representing his country. That is why a revelation that someone of Sunil Gavaskar's stature could be putting self-interest above that of the sport he represents is very disturbing. We want to remember Gavaskar for his technical virtuosity that helped him counter the fiercest pace attack the world has ever known. When that same Gavaskar, the idol of many millions across the world, is found to have compromised his position as an independent commentator by being on the payroll of the Board for doing that job, we wince in pain. That a superman who fought for his country and gave it pride and dignity on the sports field can in real life be so vulnerable and given to temptations, much like most of us, can be a shattering experience. The news, which was highlighted in this paper a few months back, that even Anil Kumble - India's greatest match-winner, leader par excellence, a role model for most -- is in a serious conflict of interest with the job he is doing as cricket administrator is equally depressing. On sticky wicket In fact, Kumble's position is worse, almost untenable and indefensible. That the man who is president of a state cricket association and chairman of the National Cricket Academy is also a player agent should come as a shock to most of us. It has been revealed that his company Tenvic had signed two cricketers who have now been picked for the ODI series against England. I wonder if there can be any defence for a board official who is also an agent for the players. The only defence would be that if the Board president can be an owner of an IPL team, what's wrong with an official doing private business of promoting players for making profits. Gavaskar in his defence had made two points. One was that he sees no conflict of interest in what he is doing. The second was that he too, like most of us, has two eyes, two hands and a stomach to feed. His take Kumble too has echoed these sentiments. Apart from seeing no conflict of interest in what he is doing, he had this to say in his defence to the Outlook magazine: "The positions with the KSCA and NCA are honorary jobs, and I have to look after myself. At this stage of my career, I have to do that. Otherwise, you'd have to become like Gandhi and give up everything." What can one say to a man to whom the Indian cricketing fraternity owes so much for his deeds on the field, except that why get into such a position at all. Using one's skills to make money is perfectly legitimate. He can choose his calling, and in any case no one has forced him to become a board official. To the Board one can say they should pay him and all those who do an honorary job for them on the condition that they can't take up jobs which put them in a conflict of interest position. To the world one can say that this appears impossible as long as N. Srinivasan is at the helm.

Hindustan Times

[1983-2011]

According to reliable sources, the former India captain has signed up three upcoming players of his state. R Vinay Kumar, S Aravind and CM Gautam are the three players who have signed up with Tenvic, a company that belongs to the bowling legend. The firm, managed by a team of three persons — including Kumble and his brother Dinesh — deals in consultancy, providing service in core skills, behavioural competency and visibility management. people wants kumble to be the chief selector

[1983-2011]

BCCI says no to KumbleÃÔ mentor role The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has dropped the plan to rope in former India skipper Anil Kumble to teach life skills to players, a proposal that was first considered last year after the former cricketer made a presentation to top officials. The personality development programme that included finance management, stress management, anti-doping code, media management and how to handle instant success was to be conducted through Tenwic, a division of Anil Kumble Sports Pvt Ltd and each session was to be monitored by Kumble himself. The programme would have cost Rs 2.9 lakh per player. The main reason why the BCCI believed that the development programme was unfeasable was the time duration it was for12 months. It required the budding cricketers to be in Bangalore for a good part of one year. ŬumbleÃÔ idea was discussed by us in the presence of the ex-president Shashank Manohar. But we have decided that this is not a feasible idea. It would have been very tough for any player to stay in Banglore for a year as the cricket calendar is very hectic, a top BCCI official said. The top officials in the BCCI also felt that since the National Cricket Academy, of which Anil Kumble is the chairman, has a training programme that includes lectures by experts on finance management, handling the media and doping issues, there was no need for a separate programme.

[Sid]

Can Kumble set a moral benchmark?

Among all the words spoken in the aftermath of the Sydney Test between India and Australia in 2008, one of the most foul-spirited in recent history, the ones that carried the deepest resonance came from Anil Kumble. "Only one team was playing in the spirit of the game," he said, after India had been beaten by 122 runs in a match ruined by poor umpiring and worse behaviour. They were not original words - they were a play on the famous line uttered by Bill Woodfull to describe England's strategy of targeting the ribcages of Australian batsmen during Bodyline - and it was unlikely Kumble could have imagined the weight they would carry when he spoke them at the post-match conference. Though his team had been wronged more by the umpires, and the Australian fielders had been provocative, India had hardly been blameless. Harbhajan Singh was later charged - and subsequently let off, on account of lack of evidence - with having racially abused Andrew Symonds. But it was Kumble who walked tall out of the mess. His words felt powerful and moving because they were backed by his stature in world cricket. While he considers his choices in the wake of the controversy over his involvement with a player management agency, reflecting on the significance of that press conference might offer him some clarity. Ordinarily Kumble's involvement in managing players would be welcome. A certain shadiness has always been associated with player management in India and Kumble's influence on young Indian players can only be healthy. And the players whose commercial interests his company is supposed to look after are hardly superstars. But Kumble also happens to be the president of the Karnataka State Cricket Association, the chairman of the National Cricket Academy, and the chief mentor for Royal Challengers Bangalore. By some accounts Kumble is baffled and hurt by people inferring he has conflicts of interest. He can argue that he is capable of separating each of his roles and not letting one influence the other. But perceptions matter, and public life has its own unwritten code of conduct. Kumble chose to fight for the presidency of the KSCA, and every right-thinking cricket fan in the country celebrated his victory. He was not the first cricketer to seek and win an administrative office - indeed, his team replaced another group of cricketers - but his was hailed as a landmark victory because it carried the promise of a style of governance committed to the growth of cricket and cricketers. Kumble had alongside him Javagal Srinath and Venkatesh Prasad, and their campaign was supported by Rahul Dravid, but Kumble's image as a man of integrity and commitment was the biggest source of optimism. It is true that fans often assign qualities and virtues to sports heroes on the basis of their exploits on the field. Kumble's image has been built not merely around his accomplishments as a champion bowler but his ceaseless service to the team cause, his reputation as an unrelenting warrior, and his commanding voice in the dressing room. Most of all, it has been immortalised by the sight of him bowling with a bandage around a broken jaw in Antigua in 2002, a compelling portrait of valour and heroism, of a man putting the team ahead of self. To be judged against such an image can be a hopeless task in real life, and unfairly suffocating too. But sports heroes are not merely victims of their images. They find rewards in them too, and with those come a certain responsibility for moral conduct. In any case, they mustn't see such expectations as a burden. Instead, to be expected to be noble and upright is a badge of honour, to be embraced not shunned. The Indian cricket fan has got used to the idea of not expecting a lot from administrators. For most of its existence the BCCI has remained an opaque organisation and one rarely known for vision or accountability. Conflicts of interest abound. The president owns an IPL team. The chairman of selectors used to be a brand ambassador for that same team. And Kumble's predecessor at the KSCA ran a coaching institute not far from the Chinnaswamy Stadium. That many KSCA office bearers, including Kumble, sit in the RCB dugout raises a few uncomfortable questions. It is to mutual benefit for a state association to work closely with the local IPL franchise; the question is whether the state association officials should work for the franchise. However, there is nothing grey about the man who heads the cricket association looking after the commercial interests of a few loval players, however well-intentioned he may be.He hardly needs an agency to mentor cricketers. In fact, his company should have nothing to do with developing state cricketers at any level. That's his job as the president of KSCA. Kumble is not the only high-profile former cricketer to be accused of conflict of interest in recent times, but how he responds to the charge will determine how he will be judged. It is a tribute to him that he is expected to set his standards high. His intentions are not in question here; it is a question of doing what appears to be right. Does he want to measure himself against the office bearers of the BCCI, both past and present, or does he aspire to a higher moral standard? No one will think any less of Kumble for owning up to an error of judgement and rectifying his position. He has been a giant for Indian cricket on the field; now he has an opportunity to enhance his stature of the field. Actually, there is a much bigger job waiting for him. There is no better person available to professionally take charge of running Indian cricket, a job that Hugh Morris does so efficiently for England it its managing director. But that should be his only job, and it should pay handsomely

http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/535745.html

[Number]

Really sad , this politics will phuck every good thing done in last decade and we will be back to 90s..

[Crookbond]

Can Kumble set a moral benchmark? http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/current/story/535745.html

Among all the words spoken in the aftermath of the Sydney Test between India and Australia in 2008, one of the most foul-spirited in recent history, the ones that carried the deepest resonance came from Anil Kumble. "Only one team was playing in the spirit of the game," he said, after India had been beaten by 122 runs in a match ruined by poor umpiring and worse behaviour. They were not original words - they were a play on the famous line uttered by Bill Woodfull to describe England's strategy of targeting the ribcages of Australian batsmen during Bodyline - and it was unlikely Kumble could have imagined the weight they would carry when he spoke them at the post-match conference. Though his team had been wronged more by the umpires, and the Australian fielders had been provocative, India had hardly been blameless. Harbhajan Singh was later charged - and subsequently let off, on account of lack of evidence - with having racially abused Andrew Symonds. But it was Kumble who walked tall out of the mess. His words felt powerful and moving because they were backed by his stature in world cricket. While he considers his choices in the wake of the controversy over his involvement with a player management agency, reflecting on the significance of that press conference might offer him some clarity. Ordinarily Kumble's involvement in managing players would be welcome. A certain shadiness has always been associated with player management in India and Kumble's influence on young Indian players can only be healthy. And the players whose commercial interests his company is supposed to look after are hardly superstars. But Kumble also happens to be the president of the Karnataka State Cricket Association, the chairman of the National Cricket Academy, and the chief mentor for Royal Challengers Bangalore. By some accounts Kumble is baffled and hurt by people inferring he has conflicts of interest. He can argue that he is capable of separating each of his roles and not letting one influence the other. But perceptions matter, and public life has its own unwritten code of conduct. Kumble chose to fight for the presidency of the KSCA, and every right-thinking cricket fan in the country celebrated his victory. He was not the first cricketer to seek and win an administrative office - indeed, his team replaced another group of cricketers - but his was hailed as a landmark victory because it carried the promise of a style of governance committed to the growth of cricket and cricketers. Kumble had alongside him Javagal Srinath and Venkatesh Prasad, and their campaign was supported by Rahul Dravid, but Kumble's image as a man of integrity and commitment was the biggest source of optimism. It is true that fans often assign qualities and virtues to sports heroes on the basis of their exploits on the field. Kumble's image has been built not merely around his accomplishments as a champion bowler but his ceaseless service to the team cause, his reputation as an unrelenting warrior, and his commanding voice in the dressing room. Most of all, it has been immortalised by the sight of him bowling with a bandage around a broken jaw in Antigua in 2002, a compelling portrait of valour and heroism, of a man putting the team ahead of self. To be judged against such an image can be a hopeless task in real life, and unfairly suffocating too. Kumble can argue that he is capable of separating each of his roles and not letting one influence the other. But perceptions matter, and public life has its own unwritten code of conduct But sports heroes are not merely victims of their images. They find rewards in them too, and with those come a certain responsibility for moral conduct. In any case, they mustn't see such expectations as a burden. Instead, to be expected to be noble and upright is a badge of honour, to be embraced not shunned. The Indian cricket fan has got used to the idea of not expecting a lot from administrators. For most of its existence the BCCI has remained an opaque organisation and one rarely known for vision or accountability. Conflicts of interest abound. The president owns an IPL team. The chairman of selectors used to be a brand ambassador for that same team. And Kumble's predecessor at the KSCA ran a coaching institute not far from the Chinnaswamy Stadium. That many KSCA office bearers, including Kumble, sit in the RCB dugout raises a few uncomfortable questions. It is to mutual benefit for a state association to work closely with the local IPL franchise; the question is whether the state association officials should work for the franchise. However, there is nothing grey about the man who heads the cricket association looking after the commercial interests of a few local players, however well-intentioned he may be. He hardly needs an agency to mentor cricketers. In fact, his company should have nothing to do with developing state cricketers at any level. That's his job as the president of KSCA. Kumble is not the only high-profile former cricketer to be accused of conflict of interest in recent times, but how he responds to the charge will determine how he will be judged. It is a tribute to him that he is expected to set his standards high. His intentions are not in question here; it is a question of doing what appears to be right. Does he want to measure himself against the office bearers of the BCCI, both past and present, or does he aspire to a higher moral standard? No one will think any less of Kumble for owning up to an error of judgement and rectifying his position. He has been a giant for Indian cricket on the field; now he has an opportunity to enhance his stature of the field. Actually, there is a much bigger job waiting for him. There is no better person available to professionally take charge of running Indian cricket, a job that Hugh Morris does so efficiently for England as its managing director. But that should be his only job, and it should pay handsomely.