I never wanted cricket to be a part of Olympic sports, says Kalmadi

Chairman of Commonwealth Games Organising Committee Suresh Kalmadi has come down heavily on the BCCI for its decision to not to send a team to the Asian Games, though he revealed that he never wanted cricket to be a part of the Olympics.

''I have never been keen on cricket being a part of Olympic sports because then Olympic sports get hurt. And cricket has become very commercial and there are only medals there, there is no money. So, I don't think anybody from the cricket world is interested in taking part in Olympic sports,'' Kalmadi told mediapersons yesterday.

The IOA president further added that he knew that BCCI would end up taking such a decision. ''They were saying that they were coming for the Asian games and they have backed out now, I knew this would happen,'' Kalmadi added.

Sports Minister MS Gill had already insisted that cricket does not fit in the events of Olympic Games.

Gill also felt that Indian cricketers are very tired and that racing horses are even rested.

The 16th Asian Games, also known as the XVI Asiad, is scheduled to take place in Guangzhou in China from November 12 to 27 this year.