Thiruvanthapuram, May 14 : The Kerala Government had distanced itself from the Kochi cricket team in the Indian Premier League (IPL), contending it is more of a gambling business than a game.
M Vijayakumar, Sports Minister of Kerala said: "IPL is not just about cricket, rather it is a gambling business and this is a matter of serious concern. We do not agree with this kind of business and neither do the sports fans and lovers of the game of cricket, who share the same opinion."
Earlier, former Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor met Kerala Chief Minister V S Achutanandan to seek his government''s support for the Kochi IPL franchise.
This delegation tried to impress the Kerala Government to back their venture.
Reportedly, Achutanandan had asked the Kochi IPL cricket team''s co-owner, Vivek Venugopal, and Chief Executive Officer P T Keshav to submit their request in writing and told them that he would discuss this with the Kerala''s Sports Minister.
Vijaykumar, however, denounced cricket''s richest and most lucrative tournament, saying it was more of a gambling venture.
On Wednesday, the consortium held talks with the Kerala Cricket Association on holding home matches in the state itself during the next season of IPL.
Tharoor was forced to resign from his ministerial post over his alleged involvement in the IPL controversy. He had participated in the discussions as a ''mentor''.
Opposition parties have accused Tharoor of misusing his ministerial position to influence the 333 million dollar bid for the Kochi team.
© ANI
