BCCI's Asiad snub not surprising, say Olympic heroes Vijender, Sushil

The Board of Control for Cricket in India's decision to not field a team at the upcoming Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, citing international commitments may have come as a surprise to a billion-plus people of India. However, there are at least two prominent sporting personalities, who aren't the least amazed with last evening's news break.

Beijing Olympic Games' bronze medallists Vijender Singh and Sushil Kumar felt that anything could happen in the "big bad world of Indian cricket."

u00a0"There is so much money in cricket and add to this the fact that players are revered like demi-gods wherever they go, so it's only obvious that they could do such a thing (give the Asian Games a slip). The Board does not care about the country and likewise the players," grappler Sushil said.

The BCCI have cited India's tour to New Zealand as the reason for their inability to send the team to China, however both Vijender and Sushil believe the real reason is something else.

"There's no money in the Asian Games while the tour to NZ will rake in a lot for the Board," Vijender said.
"Money is important but the country must come first. I have a host of very lucrative offers to turn professional but I have turned them all down because my priority is to represent my country.

"The Asian Games and Olympics are my dream destinations. But it seems the national flag does not hold significance for all sportsmen," added the Bhiwani boxer.

The cricketers will regret the decision in the long run, felt both Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna awardees.
"However big a name they may be in cricket, but they will always miss an Asian Games or an Olympic medal round their necks.

"In the long run, when they look back at their careers, they will feel the void in that trophy cabinet," said
Sushil.

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