Indo Pak T20 being faced with protests on behest of CM(HP): HPCA

Dharamsala, February 14, 2016: India- Pakistan World T20 match, shall be played on March 19 at Dharamsala is being faced with protests by the families of martyrs of the Pathankot attack. The Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) on Sunday alleged that the protests were being “stage managed on behest of chief minister Virbhadra Singh”.
Few people are trying to portray HPCA as if the sports body is some Pakistan agency and we condemn it. The protest march was stage managed on behest of chief minister,” alleged HPCA spokesperson Sanjay Sharma addressing a press conference here.
Maintaining that it was an International Cricket Council (ICC) event, Sharma said, the venue of the World T20 was decided by the international body two years ago and should not be linked to the martyrs.
“State cricket body respects the martyrs who have laid down their lives for the sake of country and stands with their bereaved families at this hour of distress,” said Sharma,
“People should not doubt our patriotism; we are as patriotic as others and HPCA puts nation first,” said Sharma adding that HPCA president and honorary secretary of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had taken initiative to cancel the bilateral series between two countries last year.
He also questioned the chief minister for visiting the families of Pathankot terror attack martyrs after a month, despite he being present in Kangra on winter sojourn.
Unleashing an attack on deputy advocate general Vinay Sharma, HPCA spokesperson urged the families of martyrs to not get mislead by “a person whose license was suspended for one and half year by the disciplinary committee of Himachal Pradesh Bar Association for unethical practices in profession”.
He said that who were protesting against the match should also oppose 12th South Asian Games underway in Guwahati, where 456 -strong Pakistan contingent is participating in 22 disciplines.
“Why the opposition to cricket only?” asked Sharma adding “Like the people are protesting against the India- Pak match at Dharamsala, they should do it for every sport being played anywhere in the country and in which the neighboring country is participating.
Sharma also welcomed the suggestion by Transport Minister GS Bali that the earnings from the match should be given to families of Pathankot attack martyrs as help.
“We will surely consider his suggestion and will deliberate on it in the board meeting,” said Sharma adding that the minister should also suggest the chief minister to cut number of his chopper rides and give the savings to the families of martyrs.
Replying to a query, Sharma said, HPCA chief Anurag Thakur will definitely meet the families of Pathankot martyrs when he is here.