MCA Polls: Sandeep Patil looks to hit conflict bouncers for a six | Cricket News – Times of India
MUMBAI: Ever since he threw his hat in the ring for the president’s post in the elections of the Mumbai Cricket Association on September 28, India’s 1983 World Cup hero Sandeep Patil has been facing ‘Conflict of Interest’ bouncers from his opponents. And, like he did in his playing days, Patil is intent on hooking them all for a ‘six.’
On Monday, even as the heat gathered over MCA presidential election, a tweet emerged that Patil had been appointed as the mentor of Pokhara Avengers for the Nepal T20 League, for which he will receive a fee. However, the former India coach and chief selector issued a strong denial. “I’ve not signed any contract. There’s nothing on paper. It was just a one-day (appearance) affair, that’s it. I’m not a mentor there. I just went to unveil the logo of Pokhara Avengers, that’s it. And regarding fee, who doesn’t get paid for his/her services? It’s a stupid allegation. Let them say anything. I can’t stop my other activities,” Patil told TOI on Tuesday.
“I’d like to support all these minnows. I’ve gone wherever I’ve been invited to give my support. This has nothing to do with the MCA election. It’s like going to a Ganpati Pandal or meeting a friend in another association. What’s wrong with it? As long as it’s not in conflict of interest with MCA, I’ll always try to help cricketers or associations in my capacity,” he added.
There is another case of possible conflict-Mumbai chief selector Salil Ankola is the father in law of Patil’s son Chirag, but that too won’t be an issue, Patil said. “He was appointed as the Mumbai chief selector before I decided to contest for the MCA president’s post,” the dashing former India batsman clarified.
Patil was zeroed in as a candidate for the MCA presidentship in 2019 too, but excused himself as that would mean that he would have had to forgo a commentary contract with Star Sports to avoid conflict of interest issues. However, the 66-year-oldclaimed that this time, “he had been told that the conflict of interest issue won’t arise.” “I’m told that the conflict only arises if you are a commentator employed by the BCCI, but not if you are employed by a channel. So, I’ll continue with my commentary work (on Star Sports),” Patil said.
Patil also defended his meeting with Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde a few days back, which his opponents are claiming, was aimed at gaining political support for his candidature. “Shindeji invited me (to his home) for his Ganpati (darshan). I didn’t go there to ask for votes. I’m friendly with all the political parties and all politicians-from Devendra Fadnavis, Sharad Pawar to Uddhav & Raj Thackeray, all. What’s wrong with it? That shouldn’t be labelled as if I’ve joined a party, or I’m asking for their support. Till date, I’ve never approached any Maharashtra CM for personal work, and I will never do that,” he said.
On his part, Patil is busy inviting cricketers to join him in the MCA-he recently asked ex-India pacer Raju Kulkarni to join him in administration in the association. “Not just Raju, I’m asking all eligible former Mumbai cricketers to take interest,” he said.
On Monday, even as the heat gathered over MCA presidential election, a tweet emerged that Patil had been appointed as the mentor of Pokhara Avengers for the Nepal T20 League, for which he will receive a fee. However, the former India coach and chief selector issued a strong denial. “I’ve not signed any contract. There’s nothing on paper. It was just a one-day (appearance) affair, that’s it. I’m not a mentor there. I just went to unveil the logo of Pokhara Avengers, that’s it. And regarding fee, who doesn’t get paid for his/her services? It’s a stupid allegation. Let them say anything. I can’t stop my other activities,” Patil told TOI on Tuesday.
“I’d like to support all these minnows. I’ve gone wherever I’ve been invited to give my support. This has nothing to do with the MCA election. It’s like going to a Ganpati Pandal or meeting a friend in another association. What’s wrong with it? As long as it’s not in conflict of interest with MCA, I’ll always try to help cricketers or associations in my capacity,” he added.
There is another case of possible conflict-Mumbai chief selector Salil Ankola is the father in law of Patil’s son Chirag, but that too won’t be an issue, Patil said. “He was appointed as the Mumbai chief selector before I decided to contest for the MCA president’s post,” the dashing former India batsman clarified.
Patil was zeroed in as a candidate for the MCA presidentship in 2019 too, but excused himself as that would mean that he would have had to forgo a commentary contract with Star Sports to avoid conflict of interest issues. However, the 66-year-oldclaimed that this time, “he had been told that the conflict of interest issue won’t arise.” “I’m told that the conflict only arises if you are a commentator employed by the BCCI, but not if you are employed by a channel. So, I’ll continue with my commentary work (on Star Sports),” Patil said.
Patil also defended his meeting with Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde a few days back, which his opponents are claiming, was aimed at gaining political support for his candidature. “Shindeji invited me (to his home) for his Ganpati (darshan). I didn’t go there to ask for votes. I’m friendly with all the political parties and all politicians-from Devendra Fadnavis, Sharad Pawar to Uddhav & Raj Thackeray, all. What’s wrong with it? That shouldn’t be labelled as if I’ve joined a party, or I’m asking for their support. Till date, I’ve never approached any Maharashtra CM for personal work, and I will never do that,” he said.
On his part, Patil is busy inviting cricketers to join him in the MCA-he recently asked ex-India pacer Raju Kulkarni to join him in administration in the association. “Not just Raju, I’m asking all eligible former Mumbai cricketers to take interest,” he said.
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