WEHAVE VINDICATED OURSELVES: SEV

Says ICC anti-corruption officials present at SLPL

Somerset Entertainment Ventures (SEV), organisers of the Sri Lanka Premier League (SLPL), yesterday said it hoped the success of the inaugural SLPL would vindicate them, having delivered a ‘Bona Fide’ tournament with all franchises honouring player payments.

SEV Chairman Sandiip Bhammer said the SLPL had exceeded expectations, including those of some of its critics, creating a good platform for future tournaments.

“We’ve delivered a Bona Fide tournament, where all players have been paid. It is the biggest thing for us that the players can go back home having been fully paid, which is more than some other tournaments elsewhere in the world can say,” Bhammer said, adding that player insurance costs had also been covered and even the support staff were paid its full dues.

“We invested in providing a world class television product, without any immediate return, and no one can argue with the quality of it, which was world class”

“This tournament has been delivered better than most people expected. We hope we’ve vindicated ourselves (by the success of the tournament) because a lot (of negative things) was said about usandSLC.”

Mr. Bhammer was unequivocal in his claim that the tournament was a success, not only locally but internationally saying, “The tournament has been a success in our opinion, for a number of reasons. Firstly, it has provided the Sri Lankan team with two new players (Dilshan Munaweera and Akila Dhananjaya) and has also allowed for Sri Lankan cricketers who’ve not played for the national team to gain visibility on a global platform.”

“It has also allowed retired cricketers to come back into the game and contribute, affording young players the opportunities to share the dressing with, and learn from, these former cricketers.”

“Another reason is that it has benefited stakeholders across the board. For example, training facilities which were used by the teams were provided by clubs who charged a fee for that, with even ground staff (ball boys etc) making Rs. 3,000 a day by being involved in the SLPL,”Mr.Bhammersaid.

When asked about the controversial tape that allegedly contained a conversation involving an owner of a SLPL franchise purportedly discussing the possibility of fixing matches, he said – contrary to reports by the ICC distancing itself from the issue claiming that the SLPL was not within its purview – ICC Anti-Corruption officials were present at the tournament and a copy of the taped conversation was in fact handed over to them for investigation.

He clarified however, that he himself had not listened to the tape, and therefore could not confirm that it involved an owner of an SLPL franchise.

Mr. Bhammer added however that they had exercise vigilance in its wake saying, “Once you get something of this nature, you need to become more vigilant and that is what we did.”

While not specifying the exact status of the investigation into the tape – stressing only that the tape was handed over to the ICC – Mr. Bhammer stated confidence, saying there was no such incidents in the SLPL and the track-record of the supposed team that was linked to the tape had proven no fixing took place.

“The tournament was run in absolute credibility and there was an ICC unit there,” he said.

“There was an ICC Anti-Corruption Unit and it was a tournament played under the auspices of the SLC. And I don’t think any of those players were involved in smoke and mirrors.”

He conceded that the concept of interprovincial cricket was still growing and franchisees had to create a stronger fan base for its franchise and expand its following. “It’s a small country and as the tournament went on, the crowds slowly increased. So it is taking some time for the crowds to come in. It was encouraging that the semi-finals and finals were played to full houses.”

When asked about the alleged connection between SEV and deposed former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi, Mr. Bhammer was adamant in his rejection of the claim saying, “What is this Lalit Modi connection? How is he connected to this tournament?”

“Lait Modi is not the owner of the IPL. There are other T20 tournaments around the world; why is he not linked to those? We’re a Singaporean company and our shareholders can be viewed on our website. You can pay a dollar and get the relevant documents,” he said. Mr. Bhammer speaking one on one with the media following the conclusion of the SLPL braved a barrage of questions from the few journalists present, stating that the “boycott by the Sri Lankan press” was in fact negative for the tournament. “The fact that the press boycotted us because it was considered to be ‘all-Indian’ was a big blow. It is the Sri Lankan players and public that benefited from this. The press need to cut some slack (for the franchise owners) because they are willing to do business here despite not making profits for the first three or so years. Give them a break because they will invest in Dollars and haven’t come here looking for short term profits,” he said.

He also said that they had approached local blue chips first and the proposals made were flatly rejected.

He also said that they hoped the Indian board would allow their players to participation in the future.

“We are hopeful” he said.