Rajasthan Royals co-owner
Raj Kundra was suspended by the BCCI on Monday on charges of gambling
during IPL 6 matches while Ravi Sawani's report on the spot-fixing scam
was forwarded to the board's disciplinary panel in an emergent working
committee meeting.
Immediately after his suspension Raj Kundra comes out with an
official statement in which he calls BCCI's decision unilateral and says
that the rampant corruption in India will deter NRIs like him to invest
in the country.
Here is what Raj Kundra has to say about his suspension.
The Staement opens with a
proclamation for his love for sports, "All those who know me are aware
that sport is my first love. I own a minority 11.7% share in Rajasthan
Royals as well as a majority share of the Super Fight League in India
which has become the largest MMA league in Asia within a year of its
launch. I have single handedly provided job opportunities and training
to 200 Indian fighters who were doing nothing but misusing their
strength on the streets or in underground illegal fight clubs."
He talks about his
intention to tain players as well, "I am currently working on football
to develop its popularity amongst youngsters and also to provide better
infrastructure and training to them. It shocks, saddens and hurts me
when my integrity towards Sport is questioned, especially knowing that
there are very few who have taken the initiative and been successful in
the development of sport in India"
He vows that he has
adhered to the contract, "All sorts of accusations were made against me
without proof, by people in powerful positions. It is sad that without
accurate facts, I am being made a scapegoat and put under trial by the
media based on unproved claims. The most difficult part of the decision
to marry Shilpa was the fact that she did not want to leave India. I
made the choice of moving to India initially out of love for her, but
have over the years fallen in love with India and all that comes with
it. I am afraid that rampant corruption at different levels would serve a
deterrent for foreign investors who may otherwise be willing to invest
in India. People need to realise that as a British national and NRI, IF
I wanted to bet I could have one so off-shore on ANY betting website
legally. However I did not do so as the IPL contract as per."
He hints at fighting
BCCI's decision, "ACSU rules clearly states that owners cannot bet on
the IPL. In many BCCI meetings I have often suggested that team-owners
be given a seat on the IPL governing board so that owners are involved
in decision making, as in many international sports bodies. Us owners
are the ones heavily invested in the IPL and should have a voice in its
functioning, however till date no team-owner’s body has been welcomed. I
am shocked and upset at the unilateral decision taken today by the BCCI
and will fight the grounds of suspension. I further clarify that this
is my view and is not related to any other share-holders or owners of
Rajasthan Royals. I close by saying I trust in Justice and India! Thank
you."
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