We will continue to support Pune team: Sahara

Zeenews Sports Bureau

New Delhi: Sahara chief Subrata Roy lashed out at BCCI for the lack of respect the apex body had for the long-term sponsors on Tuesday and said that the decision to part ways was made last month and was not an overnight impulsive one. Hoping that the Sahara India group and the BCCI would be able to reach an amicable solution about the transfer of funds and the fate of the IPL franchisee Pune Warriors, Subrata promised that the players of the team would play in IPL 2012. He added that there were enough sponsors for the sport in the country and BCCI would have no problems in finding a replacement soon. “The decision was taken in January, not overnight, it not an impulsive one. We are flexible, will find an amicable solution. Players should not be deprived of playing in 2012,” Subrata Roy said. He added that there could be no concrete statement on reconciliation with the BCCI saying, “I can’t comment on reconciliation, I’m keeping an open mind.” Rueing the lack of respect BCCI had for the sponsors, he pointed out to an incident where they couldn’t get tickets to watch a match. “We didn’t get the respect we deserve. Once we were even denied tickets to watch a match,” he added.