Although willing to aid the planned Bob Woolmer Academy in every possible
way, some officials of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) feel the late coach's
family is being too demanding by asking for a special charity match.
Woolmer's widow Gill had written to both the PCB and the Indian Cricket Board
requesting the organisation of a Twenty20 tie during Pakistan's tour of India
in November-December for collecting funds for the academy.
While PCB had expressed its willingness to play the match,
the BCCI shot down the idea, saying the schedule was too crammed for such an
arrangement.
Recalling an incident, a PCB official said Shoaib Akhtar
was sent to Cape Town for an analysis programme in 2005 on the recommendation
of Woolmer and despite staying with the coach himself, the pacer had to manage
all his expenses.
"The board got a shock when it was told that although
Shoaib stayed at Woolmer's place he was charged for every little thing,"
an official said.
The PCB, however, maintained that it was committed to helping
the family to set up the academy in Cape Town.
"It was a dream project of Bob Woolmer but again the problem
is the hectic international itinerary of both teams in the coming months,"
he said.
|
