Shame on the International Cricket Council

Elmo RODRIGOPULLE

WORLD CUP: When Richie Benaud, the illustrious former Australian captain tagged the International Cricket Council as a toothless tiger, he could not have described it any better.

Benaud gave this description of the ICC more than a decade ago and even now that tag applies.

If this is not so how can one explain this.

The World Cup is the once in a four year showpiece of the ICC. Over the years since the inception of this tournament, the ICC has worked it out successfully and to the satisfaction of everyone.

But this time round in conducting the tournament in the Caribbean the ICC, seems to have boobed.

Now read what happened to me and my colleague Bandula Molligoda from the ‘Dinamina’ who were approved by the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd. to cover this prestigious event for the ‘Daily News’, ‘Sunday Observer’ and the ‘Dinamina’.

The ICC had made available a CARICOM SPECIAL VISA application and in the instruction sheet had specified how we should apply.

We followed all instructions set out in the application and had it couriered through ‘Dream Holidays’ to the Trinidad and Tobago High Commission in New Delhi. This was around January 22.

A few days later the High Commission asks us to submit the names of the hotels we were going to stay in the West Indies and also to submit our bank statements for the last six months. We did as requested. Now nowhere in the application form does it say that these particulars are required.

Then a few days later the HC says that the Bank Draft of 100 US dollars which is the required visa fee had not been correctly addressed and wanted us to send fresh drafts. That was done.

Then another few days later they say that I have to send a fresh passport as my passport did not have enough months in it. Now mind you the CARRICOM SPECIAL VISA has it that the expiry date must exceed that of the visa application date by at least six months. Now my passport exceeds the requirement by eight months.

If this was not frustration and inconvenience and enough hassle. I would like the ICC to tell us what is?

Sending the papers to and from New Delhi costs money and is the ICC going to reimburse?

Had the Visa Officer in the T and T HC in New Delhi scrutinised the visa application forms once and for all and informed us, this hassle and frustration could have been avoided. We cannot understand why the Visa Officer had to be so lax and inefficient.

The ICC, once they granted the tournament to the Caribbean islands, were happy with the money that was flooding in they forgot their responsibilities and let those wanting to come to watch the tournament sink or swim, where obtaining visas were concerned.

The consensus is that the ICC has an unquenchable thirst for money. And with that coming in torrents, the ICC shirked their responsibility.

The ICC cannot say that they did not know that the West Indies are different countries. Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Newis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago are run by different governments. They have their own rules and regulations.

The ICC in offering the tournament to them should have told them not to make it cumbersome and frustrating for those coming to the Caribbean. In not doing so the ICC has acted in a very irresponsible manner. It is unbecoming of them.

Most countries have asked their citizens travelling to watch the World Cup to be wary of the undersirables who would be lurking there. If this is so, why did the ICC have to give the tournament to them and endanger lives of visitors?

The Trinidad Police has threatened to disrupt the matches by going on strike.

As for us Sri Lankans, the ICC should have had a temporary consul here to attend to visas etc of the Lankans wanting to tour the Caribbean islands and watch the games. Had this been done we would not have had to send courier papers everytime to New Delhi and keep our fingers crossed.

The ICC sheiks now based in Dubai, will as usual have a ball in their Ivory Towers in the West Indies what with the dollars that they are making and will be eating, drinking and sleeping humming that Boney M perennial ‘Money, Money, Money, its a rich man’s world’.

That the ICC did not act with more responsibility is shame on them and the countries that help make the ICC must put their hands up and give the ICC a motion of no confidence.

As for us journalists we were going to the World Cup to give it publicity.

Then must we be put through the wringer?

Shame on the ICC.