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SL Cricket slams door on Taj TV but OK’s England tour
Sri Lanka likely to resume their Sharjah tours now
By Marlon Fernandopulle
Sri Lanka Cricket, formerly known as the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL) which slammed the door on Television Broadcaster Taj Television when it invited interested parties to Express Interest in Television broadcasting and sponsorship rights for cricket matches to be played in Sri Lanka for a three year period commencing January next year, has offered the company exclusive rights for the Telecasting of the England tour.

As a relief measure and a compromise the Sunday Times learns from a high ranking Sri Lanka Cricket official that a special agreement will be signed between Taj Television and Sri Lanka Cricket tomorrow granting the Dubai based television broadcasting company the rights to televise the England tour ending weeks of controversey that threatened to undermine the tour.

Two top officials of Taj Television Chief Executive Zeyed Noorani and Director Chris Mcdonald who have had discussions with Sri Lanka Cricket officials are currently in the island and will sign the agreement tomorrow.

Infact earlier officials of the BCCSL were quoted saying the telecasting of the England tour was one of the conditions laid down by WSG Nimbus if they were to reduce the US $ 11 million damages claimed against the BCCSL for illegally and unlawfully terminating their contract. However with the Taj Television to be granted the England tour it is believed that Sri Lanka Cricket and WSG Nimbus may have reached an agreement over the reduction in the damages claimed.During discussions held in Singapore two weeks ago WSG agreed to reduce the damages claimed to US $ 4 million.However Sri Lanka Cricket officials were insisting on a further reduction. WSG were also to get priority when fresh bids are being called.

The latest move by Sri Lanka Cricket will mean that Taj Television which signed a three year Television broadcasting contract two years ago with an Interim Cricket Board will lose out, although the company claims to have a Legal and binding contract upto August 2004.

In the light of these developments the BCCSL also indicated that Sri Lanka will not take part in any tournaments in Sharjah in future. With India already out of the Sharjah games, Bukhatir's Cricketers Benefit Fund Series (CBFS) which organizes regular Sharjah tournaments will be in-a-spot if both the Asian cricket giants continue to keep away from the desert venue. However with a compromise now reached with Taj Television, Sri Lanka is likely to resume their twice a year Sharjah tours.

According to a Sri Lanka Cricket release applications from television and broadcasting companies should be sent before September 29. Sri Lanka Cricket intends to make the bid document available for the potential bidders before November 1, 2003.

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