New Delhi: Royal Challengers owner Vijay Mallya has defended beleaguered IPL Chairman and Commissioner Lalit Modi. In an interview to NDTV, Mallya has said there's no need to replace Modi, whom he calls the architect of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Mallya has also denied any sort of match-fixing in the IPL and accused politicians of trying to bring down the League. (Read: Beleaguered Modi thanks Mallya for support)
Here's is an excerpt from the interview. Watch the full version in the video below.
Mallya: I am absolutely willing to cooperate. I think the whole of the IPL is willing to cooperate with the government. It is the government's right to investigate. It is the government's right to ensure that there is regulatory compliance and therefore all of us must cooperate. No issue at all. But for some politicians to say that IPL should be nationalised and there should be government control over sports is ridiculous.
Mallya: I have already done so. We have already sent a notice to the Bombay Stock Exchange and we have also replied to the Registrar of Companies Bangalore who issued us a notice asking for all details. They wanted a reply by this evening, we have submitted it. In time. I see no reason why. I mean when IPL1 started, if people would have wanted to question the ownership structure we would have gladly provided that information. I think the politicians are using this to further their own political interests because they have a lack of fundamental understanding of how attractive the IPL is and what a fabulous opportunity it actually is.
Lalit Modi has also tweeted a thank you note to Mallya. He has written he truly appreciates his gesture.
Mallya has also denied any sort of match-fixing in the IPL and accused politicians of trying to bring down the League. (Read: Beleaguered Modi thanks Mallya for support)
Here's is an excerpt from the interview. Watch the full version in the video below.
Mallya: I am absolutely willing to cooperate. I think the whole of the IPL is willing to cooperate with the government. It is the government's right to investigate. It is the government's right to ensure that there is regulatory compliance and therefore all of us must cooperate. No issue at all. But for some politicians to say that IPL should be nationalised and there should be government control over sports is ridiculous.
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Mallya: I have already done so. We have already sent a notice to the Bombay Stock Exchange and we have also replied to the Registrar of Companies Bangalore who issued us a notice asking for all details. They wanted a reply by this evening, we have submitted it. In time. I see no reason why. I mean when IPL1 started, if people would have wanted to question the ownership structure we would have gladly provided that information. I think the politicians are using this to further their own political interests because they have a lack of fundamental understanding of how attractive the IPL is and what a fabulous opportunity it actually is.
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Lalit Modi has also tweeted a thank you note to Mallya. He has written he truly appreciates his gesture.
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