MUMBAI // India’s cricket board toppled its scandal-tainted former chairman N Srinivasan from the helm of the game’s world governing body on Monday as its leadership pledged a new era of clean governance.
Srinivasan, once the most powerful man in world cricket, will be replaced as chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC) by Shashank Manohar who is also president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
“The BCCI representative to the ICC will be Shashank Manohar,” BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur said after the board’s annual general meeting.
“And by virtue of being the board’s representative to the ICC he will take over as the ICC chairman.”
Srinivasan was appointed ICC chief in June last year after being chosen by the BCCI as India’s representative to the top role, which rotates every two years among cricketing nations.
But the cement tycoon’s reputation was badly dented by a number of corruption scandals that have hit the glitzy and lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL).
Srinivasan, 70, agreed to step aside as BCCI chief after a Supreme Court panel found him guilty of a conflict of interest for having commercial dealings in the sport.
Srinivasan is managing director of India Cements, which owns the Chennai Super Kings franchise captained by India captain MS Dhoni.
India’s top court also found Srinivasan’s son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan guilty of illegal betting while serving as team principal at the Chennai Super Kings and banned him from all cricket-related activities.
The court panel this year suspended the Chennai Super Kings and another IPL franchise, Rajasthan Royals, from the Twenty20 league for two years due to misconduct by their officials.
ICC rules state that an administrator who is removed by his home board cannot serve in the world governing body, which effectively ends Srinivasan’s tenure immediately.
Asked if he was pleased with his elevation, Manohar replied: “There is no question of satisfaction because I never aspired to this.”
The top post will be handed over to England in 2016 for two years, followed by a representative from Australia.
Srinivasan made light of his ouster, saying he can now go ahead and improve his golf handicap.
“It is the prerogative of the BCCI president to be the ICC chairman,” Srinivasan told NDTV.
“I want to focus on my cement business and use the spare time to improve my golf handicap.”
Cricket’s spiralling popularity in India helped make the BCCI the richest board under his stewardship and many smaller cricketing nations became increasingly reliant on India’s largesse.
But Srinivasan was also blamed for the ills surrounding the cash-rich, but faction-ridden, BCCI following the Supreme Court inquiry which led to his downfall.
Manohar, who served as BCCI president between 2008 and 2011, took over a second time in October following the death of incumbent Jagmohan Dalmiya on September 20.
Manohar, a lawyer by profession, launched a clean-up act to improve the image of the BCCI and ensure it worked as a transparent and honest body.
“All the members of the board were unanimous in their approach and were interested in seeing that it functions in a most transparent manner,” Manohar said after the AGM.
“Everybody spoke in the meeting in favour of clean and transparent functioning of the board.”
Former ICC president AHM Mustafa Kamal on Monday welcomed Srinivasan’s removal as chairman.
Kamal resigned from ICC in April this year following a row with Srinivasan over his decision to hand the trophy to winning captain Michael Clarke at the World Cup final prize-giving ceremony in Melbourne.
Srinivasan was booed by thousands in the crowd after taking the honour from Kamal.
“This man (Srinivasan) was a bad sore. It is a good news for the game,” Kamal said in a statement.
Another former ICC president Sharad Pawar will be the BCCI’s alternate representative in the ICC if Manohar is unable to attend meetings, a tweet from the board said.
The BCCI also appointed former judge Ajit Prakash Shah as an independent ombudsman to settle internal disputes.
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ROUTE TO TITLE
Round 1: Beat Leolia Jeanjean 6-1, 6-2
Round 2: Beat Naomi Osaka 7-6, 1-6, 7-5
Round 3: Beat Marie Bouzkova 6-4, 6-2
Round 4: Beat Anastasia Potapova 6-0, 6-0
Quarter-final: Beat Marketa Vondrousova 6-0, 6-2
Semi-final: Beat Coco Gauff 6-2, 6-4
Final: Beat Jasmine Paolini 6-2, 6-2
'The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window'
Director:Michael Lehmann
Stars:Kristen Bell
Rating: 1/5
Manchester City 4
Otamendi (52) Sterling (59) Stones (67) Brahim Diaz (81)
Real Madrid 1
Oscar (90)
Credits
Produced by: Colour Yellow Productions and Eros Now
Director: Mudassar Aziz
Cast: Sonakshi Sinha, Jimmy Sheirgill, Jassi Gill, Piyush Mishra, Diana Penty, Aparshakti Khurrana
Star rating: 2.5/5
The years Ramadan fell in May
Sunday's games
All times UAE:
Tottenham Hotspur v Crystal Palace, 4pm
Manchester City v Arsenal, 6.15pm
Everton v Watford, 8.30pm
Chelsea v Manchester United, 8.30pm
Abaya trends
The utilitarian robe held dear by Arab women is undergoing a change that reveals it as an elegant and graceful garment available in a range of colours and fabrics, while retaining its traditional appeal.
BAD BOYS: RIDE OR DIE
Director: Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah
Starring: Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Joe Pantoliano
Rating: 3.5/5
One-off T20 International: UAE v Australia
When: Monday, October 22, 2pm start
Where: Abu Dhabi Cricket, Oval 1
Tickets: Admission is free
Australia squad: Aaron Finch (captain), Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey, Ashton Agar, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Chris Lynn, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, Ben McDermott, Darcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc, Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa, Peter Siddle
HWJN
Director: Yasir Alyasiri
Starring: Baraa Alem, Nour Alkhadra, Alanoud Saud
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The biog
Marital status: Separated with two young daughters
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Favourite book: That Is How They Defeat Despair by Salwa Aladian
Favourite Motto: Their happiness is your happiness
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If you go…
Emirates launched a new daily service to Mexico City this week, flying via Barcelona from Dh3,995.
Emirati citizens are among 67 nationalities who do not require a visa to Mexico. Entry is granted on arrival for stays of up to 180 days.
Company profile
Company name: Fasset
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Burnley 0
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Raheem Sterling 35', 49'
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Investors: Amr Manaa (director, PwC Middle East)
COMPANY PROFILE
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Started: 2018
Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Smart contact lenses, augmented/virtual reality
Funding: $40 million
Investor: Opportunity Venture (Asia)
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There are regular flights from Dubai to Kathmandu. Fares with Air Arabia and flydubai start at Dh1,265.
In Kathmandu, rooms at the Oasis Kathmandu Hotel start at Dh195 and Dh120 at Hotel Ganesh Himal.
Third Rock Adventures offers professionally run group and individual treks and tours using highly experienced guides throughout Nepal, Bhutan and other parts of the Himalayas.
FIXTURES
Fixtures for Round 15 (all times UAE)
Friday
Inter Milan v AS Roma (11.45pm)
Saturday
Atalanta v Verona (6pm)
Udinese v Napoli (9pm)
Lazio v Juventus (11.45pm)
Sunday
Lecce v Genoa (3.30pm)
Sassuolo v Cagliari (6pm)
SPAL v Brescia (6pm)
Torino v Fiorentina (6pm)
Sampdoria v Parma (9pm)
Bologna v AC Milan (11.45pm)
Warlight,
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Where to buy art books in the UAE
There are a number of speciality art bookshops in the UAE.
In Dubai, The Lighthouse at Dubai Design District has a wonderfully curated selection of art and design books. Alserkal Avenue runs a pop-up shop at their A4 space, and host the art-book fair Fully Booked during Art Week in March. The Third Line, also in Alserkal Avenue, has a strong book-publishing arm and sells copies at its gallery. Kinokuniya, at Dubai Mall, has some good offerings within its broad selection, and you never know what you will find at the House of Prose in Jumeirah. Finally, all of Gulf Photo Plus’s photo books are available for sale at their show.
In Abu Dhabi, Louvre Abu Dhabi has a beautiful selection of catalogues and art books, and Magrudy’s – across the Emirates, but particularly at their NYU Abu Dhabi site – has a great selection in art, fiction and cultural theory.
In Sharjah, the Sharjah Art Museum sells catalogues and art books at its museum shop, and the Sharjah Art Foundation has a bookshop that offers reads on art, theory and cultural history.
AUSTRALIA SQUAD
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5 of the most-popular Airbnb locations in Dubai
Bobby Grudziecki, chief operating officer of Frank Porter, identifies the five most popular areas in Dubai for those looking to make the most out of their properties and the rates owners can secure:
• Dubai Marina
The Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence are popular locations, says Mr Grudziecki, due to their closeness to the beach, restaurants and hotels.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh482 to Dh739
Two bedroom: Dh627 to Dh960
Three bedroom: Dh721 to Dh1,104
• Downtown
Within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the famous fountains, this location combines business and leisure. “Sure it’s for tourists,” says Mr Grudziecki. “Though Downtown [still caters to business people] because it’s close to Dubai International Financial Centre."
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh497 to Dh772
Two bedroom: Dh646 to Dh1,003
Three bedroom: Dh743 to Dh1,154
• City Walk
The rising star of the Dubai property market, this area is lined with pristine sidewalks, boutiques and cafes and close to the new entertainment venue Coca Cola Arena. “Downtown and Marina are pretty much the same prices,” Mr Grudziecki says, “but City Walk is higher.”
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh524 to Dh809
Two bedroom: Dh682 to Dh1,052
Three bedroom: Dh784 to Dh1,210
• Jumeirah Lake Towers
Dubai Marina’s little brother JLT resides on the other side of Sheikh Zayed road but is still close enough to beachside outlets and attractions. The big selling point for Airbnb renters, however, is that “it’s cheaper than Dubai Marina”, Mr Grudziecki says.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh422 to Dh629
Two bedroom: Dh549 to Dh818
Three bedroom: Dh631 to Dh941
• Palm Jumeirah
Palm Jumeirah's proximity to luxury resorts is attractive, especially for big families, says Mr Grudziecki, as Airbnb renters can secure competitive rates on one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh503 to Dh770
Two bedroom: Dh654 to Dh1,002
Three bedroom: Dh752 to Dh1,152
