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Ford Says "No" To Lucrative Indian Coaching Job |
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Written by Sapna Mhatre
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Tuesday, 12 June 2007 |
The Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) was in for a huge embarrassment today after its chosen candidate for the cricket coaching job; Graham Ford declined to take up the position.
The BCCI had chosen Ford on June 9 after a seven-man committee met in Chennai and it was assumed the South African was chosen because of his quiet demeanor unlike Greg Chappell, whose off-field dramas attracted controversy.
Graham Ford, who is currently the Kent director of cricket, said he was honored to be chosen, but added that he wanted to continue at Kent. It was reported that Ford was heavily recommended by cricket captain Rahul Dravid and other players.
With his decision, the BCCI is left with no immediate option as Dav Whatmore was ruled out of the race early on. The second man to accompany Ford to India for his presentation was England spinner John Emburey. It is unclear whether the BCCI will now turn to him or go for another candidate altogether.
The coaching assignment is viewed as lucrative because of the wealth and status attached to it. In recent times, the Indian cricket coach has become a controversial position thanks to Greg Chappell's handling of the Sourav Ganguly controversy.
That is why the BCCI honed in on Ford, who was thought to be a controlled chap. Ford was the South Africa coach from 1999 until 2001 and presided over a difficult time as the match-fixing scandal had just broken out. Later on he joined Kent in January 2005 on a contract that expires in 2008.
However his county had permitted him to travel to India to discuss the job. "I am honoured that India have shown such interest in my capabilities, but feel this is the right decision for me and my family," the 46-year-old Ford said in a statement. "After careful consideration, I have decided to continue my work here at Kent."
It was suggested to the BCCI that they go for domestic coaches rather than foreign ones, but the board had chosen to do otherwise. The BCCI will now have to quickly fill the position as there are upcoming cricket tours to Ireland and England.
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