Kalmadi, the President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), has led the criticism of the decision by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) not to attend the Games in Guangzhou, China, which is due to take place between November 12 and 27, because they are already committed to a Test series against New Zealand.

Kalmadi said: "I feel that the decision that they [BCCI] will not attend the Asian Games is a problem, because there is no prize money there.

"Cricket is now become commercialised.

"They don’t play without prize money."

There has been a growing clamour for Twenty20 cricket to push for inclusion in the Olympics for 2020, especially with New Delhi set to bid to host the Games, but Kalmadi claimed that it did not deserve a place alongside sports like athletics, swimming and judo.

He said: "Cricket should not be included in the Olympic sports, it is a different game, a commercial game.

"And Olympic sports are different.

"There is a different focus is those Games.

"That is why cricket and Olympic sports should be kept apart."

The view point of Kalmadi, who is also the chairman of the organising committee for this year's Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, was one shared by India's Sports Minister M.S Gill.

He said: "In events likes Olympics and Asian Games, the structure includes athletics, gymnastics, wrestling and various disciplines.

"Now you can go on stretching them the reasons for which doesn’t seem to me justified or understandable."

Geet Sethi (pictured), India's eight-time world billiards champion, who will be competing in the Asian Games, joined in the condemnation of the decision of the BCCI.

He said: "It is a wrong decision as it will deprive India of one gold medal.

"Those who are running the BCCI should not think commercially but instead should take into consideration the nation's pride."

Mary Kom, one of India's biggest female hopes for a gold medal in Guangzhou when women's boxing makes its debut in the Games, also hit out at the cricketers.

She said: "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."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
June 2010: Anger over Indian cricket snub of Asian Games
January 2010: Exclusive - Twenty20 cricket will not bid for 2020 Olympics
July 2009: Twenty20 cricket drive for Olympics could hit drugs barrier
July 2009: Boost for Twenty20 Olympic chances as it expands to US
June 2009: Gilchrist renews call for Twenty20 cricket to be in Olympics