State cricket associations in favour of India playing Champions Trophy

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], May 6 (ANI): Ahead of the BCCI's special general meeting (SGM), the state cricket associations met the Committee of Administrators (COA) and were made aware of the consequences of pulling out of the Members Participation Agreement (MPA) and the Champions Trophy. North and East zone units went in first, followed by Central, West and South Zones. All members categorically stated that they do not favour a pull out or any drastic action. However, some members wanted a letter to be sent on this regard. The CoA was reminded that negotiation was the only way out and they should bargain hard. The BCCI may seek USD 400-450 million under the new revenue model from ICC. Meanwhile, the Indian team for the Champions Trophy ia expected to be picked on May 8. "The meeting may be called on Monday. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary is going to take the call after the SGM. My view is that India must take part in the Champions Trophy," BCCI acting president C.K. Khanna told ANI. It's reported that the ICC had voted to reduce the BCCI's share of revenue at its board meeting that led to the Indian officials contemplating to pull out from the tournament. The Committee of Administrators (CoA) in a letter to BCCI Joint Secretary Amitabh Chaudhary on Thursday asserted that it must not hurt the interest of the players in its dispute and demanded an immediate meeting of the selection committee to announce the squad. Earlier, the ICC had approved of a new financial model after its five-day meet in Dubai, under which the BCCI would receive 293 million dollars from 2016 to 2023. Previously, the BCCI was drawing an amount of 570 million dollars due to its 'Big Three' formula. ICC independent chairman Shashank Manohar had initially offered a compromise formula of an additional 100 million dollars, which would push the BCCI's share to almost 400 million dollars. However, BCCI rejected this with a counter-offer under which it would still get its 570 million dollars but no other full member's share would be reduced (ANI)