ICC adds new twist to the fake trophy row
Barely two days after the historic triumph, the golden moments of winning the world cup after 28 years are getting overshadowed by a trophy row that is only getting intriguing by each passing minute. The International Cricket Council has come out with a statement defending the ‘trophy’ given to the players but just stopped short of conceding that the original trophy was seized by the Customs. The Chairman of Customs though gave a totally different picture
Mumbai: The ICC today rejected reports that the World Cup with the Indian team is a replica and maintained that it is the original trophy after controversy broke out over news that that it was a fake that was presented to the team on Saturday.
Media reports today said that the Cup given to Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his team was a fake and that the original was lying with the customs in Mumbai over non-payment of duties.
Following these reports, the ICC came out with a statement this morning saying that the trophy presented to the Indian cricket team is original.
"Contrary to some erroneous and mischievous media reports, the ICC can confirm that the trophy presented to India at Wankhede Stadium on Saturday was the original ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 trophy and the one that was always intended to be presented to the winner of the event," the ICC statement read.
"There is no question that this was a replica. The trophy presented to India indeed carries the specific event logo of ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 and has always been the cup that the 14 teams were playing for," it added.
The ICC said the Cup in the customs' custody is the "perpetual trophy" which is used for promotional purposes.
"The trophy seized by Mumbai customs is the promotional, perpetual trophy which remains in the keeping of ICC at its headquarters in Dubai. It carries the generic ICC corporate logo rather than the logo specific to the 2011 event. That trophy will be reclaimed today and will travel back to Dubai with ICC staff as was always intended," the governing body said.
Meanwhile, Customs officials painted a different picture and admitted the ICC did not pay the duty to obtain the clearance and that the exemption notification could not be given in time. Speaking to a leading national television channel in India, Mr.Dutta Majumdar, Chairman of the CBEC said, 'when the trophy first came into the airport for clearance, the officials were not aware that it was the world cup trophy. We had to wait for the tournament director Mr. Ratnakar Shetty's letter to give the clearance. But, Mr. Shetty asked us to keep the trophy with us and send it back to Dubai when indicated.'
The big question now remains why the ICC and the tournament director hesitated to pay the required duty and bring the trophy to the stadium for the final. Agreed only a replica is given as per practice with the ICC but the perpetual trophy should also be kept in the stands and that is just as important a norm. Will the ICC answer this please?
Media reports today said that the Cup given to Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his team was a fake and that the original was lying with the customs in Mumbai over non-payment of duties.
Following these reports, the ICC came out with a statement this morning saying that the trophy presented to the Indian cricket team is original.
"Contrary to some erroneous and mischievous media reports, the ICC can confirm that the trophy presented to India at Wankhede Stadium on Saturday was the original ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 trophy and the one that was always intended to be presented to the winner of the event," the ICC statement read.
"There is no question that this was a replica. The trophy presented to India indeed carries the specific event logo of ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 and has always been the cup that the 14 teams were playing for," it added.
The ICC said the Cup in the customs' custody is the "perpetual trophy" which is used for promotional purposes.
"The trophy seized by Mumbai customs is the promotional, perpetual trophy which remains in the keeping of ICC at its headquarters in Dubai. It carries the generic ICC corporate logo rather than the logo specific to the 2011 event. That trophy will be reclaimed today and will travel back to Dubai with ICC staff as was always intended," the governing body said.
Meanwhile, Customs officials painted a different picture and admitted the ICC did not pay the duty to obtain the clearance and that the exemption notification could not be given in time. Speaking to a leading national television channel in India, Mr.Dutta Majumdar, Chairman of the CBEC said, 'when the trophy first came into the airport for clearance, the officials were not aware that it was the world cup trophy. We had to wait for the tournament director Mr. Ratnakar Shetty's letter to give the clearance. But, Mr. Shetty asked us to keep the trophy with us and send it back to Dubai when indicated.'
The big question now remains why the ICC and the tournament director hesitated to pay the required duty and bring the trophy to the stadium for the final. Agreed only a replica is given as per practice with the ICC but the perpetual trophy should also be kept in the stands and that is just as important a norm. Will the ICC answer this please?
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| Original Trophy |
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| Fake Trophy |
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