Mary Kom flays BCCI for not sending cricketers for Asiad

Four-time world champion boxer MC Mary Kom today criticised BCCI for not sending the Indian cricket teams for the Asian Games to held in Guangzhou, China from November 12 to 27.

Four-time world champion boxer MC Mary Kom on Wednesday criticised BCCI for not sending the Indian cricket teams for the Asian Games to held in Guangzhou, China from November 12 to 27.

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The BCCI on Tuesday said it will not send either the men's or the women's cricket team for the Asian Games as they have prior international commitments.

India would host New Zealand for a three-Test and five ODI series during the same time when the Asiad is scheduled and Mary Kom feels the itinerary could have been changed.

"BCCI could have rescheduled the series (against New Zealand) to some other time because Asian Games is much bigger an event," Mary Kom told PTI.

"As an athlete, if you prefer other international events to Asian Games, then it obviously shows that you are running after money and not national pride.

"I'm a mother of two and when it comes to representing the country, I leave them behind and go abroad. Why cannot the cricketers do it? Athletes should take pride in representing the country," she said.

Cricket is making its debut at the 16th Games after being approved at the Olympic Council of Asia's General Assembly in Kuwait recently.

Countries which are expected to send cricket teams for the Games include Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.