BCCI clarifies the conflict of interest issue involving VVS Laxman and Anil Kumble

Laxman is no longer associated with Kumble’s sports company Tenvic

Following reports alleging a conflict of interest in Anil Kumble’s appointment as Indian coach, BCCI has issued a clarification revealing that panel member VVS Laxman had sold his shares in the former’s Tenvic Sports Education Private Limited in March itself.

DNA had raised concerns on Laxman’s presence in the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) which was entrusted with selecting the Indian coach due to his 33,332 Tenvic shares and possible monetary benefits in the form of incentives and bonus.

However, BCCI Secretary Ajay Shirke denied those claims with a press release which read, “Mr Laxman informed BCCI that he had sold his total shareholding of 5% in Tenvic Sport in the month of March 2016 and also declared that he no longer held any shareholding or any official or unofficial position in Tenvic Sports.”

“This took place prior to the commencement of the operations of this Committee. Mr Laxman was therefore in no position of a conflict of interest at the time of selection of the head coach of Indian cricket team. All assumptions and conclusions to that effect are therefore erroneous.”

After he was appointed to the post, Kumble believed that the matter was resolved between himself and the BCCI regarding the contentious clause. Apart from Laxman, Tenvic‘s other stakeholders included badminton icon Prakash Padukone and table tennis star Sharath Kamal.

Kumble had asserted, “We’ve already discussed that (the clause). And whatever needs to be done will be done before I take up this role officially. It’s been discussed with the BCCI as well, so it is something that can be easily resolved.”

Even the Supreme Court has regularly questioned the conflict of interest in BCCI’s handling of several matters by alluding that the idea was ‘anti-thesis to the fundamental imperatives of the game’ and hence legally impermissible.

Anil’s first assignment with the Indian team will be the Caribbean tour which comprises of 4 Test matches, beginning from July 21.