Horse Race: Turf Club : Horses::Cricket: Stadium : Players!...makes for a pretty good analogy, isn't it ?.
Notwithstanding the shifting of the Bangalore Turf Club to the city's outskirts, the launch of "KPL" or the Karnataka Premier League is proving to be the ideal replacement. With a total of eight teams likely to be owned by filmstars, movie production houses, underworld dons and politicians the league provides them with a great breeding ground for establishing a wider base in the state, not to mention all the betting, gambling that comes along.
While the relocation of the turf club comes as a disappointment to many, for some the KPL comes as a blessing to make more money, catapult growth of unscrupulous elements, all in the name of 'CRICKET'. It doesn't come as much of a surprise with Anil Kumble making his displeasure evident. Kumble has a point when he says the league will encourage lot of backdoor entry. The former captain is spot on. From betting on horses to cricketers, the action from the Bangalore Turf club shifts a few miles down to the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium.
With two teams from Bangalore, six teams from mofussil's and media coverage the stakes are high. Another point Kumble makes is about the modest pay caps on players and the overall format. With each association getting an annual grant from the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India), the K.S.C.A (Karnataka State Cricket Association) certainly has the wherewithal to run a tournament, develop the game throughout the state on its own terms. If at all the state association believes it lacks the marketing abilities, it could have brought in expertise from professional sports management firms like IMG, develop a business model and take the game forward.
Over the years Karnataka cricket has seen the greatest of cricketers represent the country. Its hypocritical when all those bidding for these teams vouch for the game's developement. And it surely doesn't require a KPL to be held to foster talents. Encouraging elements for whom the game, it's players and the development is of least priority would be the last thing that cricket needed. But at the end of the day it boils down to business.
For the player's, with instant success, fame and money through the IPL's (Indian Premier League) and KPL's the desire and motivation to play for their state teams, Ranji Trophy and the longer version of the game is sure to take a beating. And the signs are ominous. Hope sanity prevails.
Owners bidding for teams include :
Upendra, Ramya, Sudeep, Rockline Venkatesh (actors & producers), Muthappa Rai (underworld don-turned-politician), Sriramulu (Minister), Ambareesh (actor&politician), industrialist Jagannath Y, politician Jayprakash Hegde and educational group Jain Group of institutions.
Likely team owners
