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ICC converts Champions Trophy into World T20
Kolkata, April 26 (IANS) Terming the 50-over Champions Trophy as “too similar to a World Cup”, ICC Chief Executive Dave Richardson on Thursday said the next edition of the tournament, in 2021, will be converted into a World T20.
“The Champions Trophy, in a way, was too similar to the World Cup. It was difficult to differentiate,” Richardson told reporters at a press briefing held at the end of a five-day ICC quarterly meet here.
“The new FTP (Future Tours Programme 2019-2023) not only includes the fixtures in the league but it would also comprise of the two World Cups — the 50 over World Cup in 2019 and 2023.
“It will include the World T20 in Australia, both men’s and women’s. It will also include at this stage the Champions Trophy in 2021 but in all likelihood we have decided that we would change it to World T20 and that fits in with our strategy now to use the T20 cricket as the way of growing the game by virtue of having it twice in every four years instead of once.”
“The World T20 will give more teams the chance to play in global events,” Richardson added.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was against the proposed idea of the Champions Trophy being made into a World T20, but Richardson said the Indian board’s acting secretary Amitabh Chaudhury had voted in favour of the move.
“As far as as the conversion from Champions Trophy to World T20 is concerned, the BCCI representative attended the meeting when that happened and the vote was passed unanimously. So I don’t think that’s an issue,” the former South Africa wicketkeeper said.
Asked about tax issues affecting India in hosting the 2021 event and the 2023 World Cup later, Richardson said: “The tax exemptions I will leave aside for the moment. Obviously, at this stage anyway, the event is scheduled for India and so is the World Cup in 2023. We want to work with the BCCI in trying to secure a favourable tax situation.”
The Indian government refused to exempt the 2016 World Twenty20 leading to the ICC suffering a revenue deficit. Since then, the BCCI has tried desperately to alter their stance, but to no avail.
There will be a World T20 in Australia in 2020 followed by another T20 meet, replacing the Champions Trophy next year.
Asked about the overdose, Richardson said they were forced to schedule it in such a manner due to bilateral series commitments of teams.
The former Protea stumper said from then on, there will be World T20s every two years.
“It’s a little bit unfortunate we are having an event in 2020 and twelve months later we are having another one, unfortunately that is because of the schedule. There would have been an option of moving the 2021 T20 into 2022, but with the bilateral series going on we coudn’t.
“Going forward, every two years (we will have) a World T20, every four years the World Cup and the ODI league building up to each World Cup,” he said.
Richardson was asked about the ICC Test Championship not having India and Pakistan in the first FTP cycle, and keeping in mind the political tension between the two nations, how does ICC plan to go about it?
“In the case of India and Pakistan we have been a little pragmatic. In the first cycle, they are not playing Test matches,” he signed off.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.