Didn`t want to be just a figurehead: Kumble

Bangalore: Former India captain Anil Kumble said he resigned as National Cricket Academy`s chairman as he didn`t want to be just a "figurehead" when none of his plans found support from other committee members.

Almost two months after a controversy broke out over an apparent conflict of interest, Kumble stepped down and his resignation was accepted by the BCCI`s Working Committee, which met here yesterday. "I had a plan which didn`t have much alignment with other committee members. I didn`t want to be just a figurehead," Kumble told reporters. Asked why his plans didn`t find support with others, Kumble said, "I don`t know but I was very keen to contribute and even put together a proposal." Punjab Cricket Association`s general secretary MP Pandove will be the caretaker chairman of the NCA till a full-time appointment is made. Initially, "lack of time" was said to be the reason why Kumble stepped down as NCA chairman but later yesterday, the retired leg spinner told PTI that he was left with no other option. "I had a three-year vision to make NCA a better academy. I had made 10 presentations during my tenure as chairman with the hope that my vision could be accepted. Even on Sunday I had discussed this at the NCA meeting in Chennai. But it was not in alignment with the rest of the committee," Kumble said. "I felt that it made no sense to be a chairman when I was not being heard. I had no other option but to move on in life," he added. PTI