Kumble disappointed by BCCI's snub to Asian Games

Former captain Anil Kumble is disappointed with BCCI's decision not to send teams to the Asian Games in China while star boxer Vijender Singh is so miffed with the board's attitude that he wants cricket to be thrown out of the multi-sport event.

"It is definitely disappointing," said Kumble, who was a member of the Indian cricket team, which took part in the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur.

"I was part of the team in the 1998 Commonwealth Games and I certainly enjoyed being part of the athletics community," said the former skipper.

"There I watched (Pullela) Gopichand play badminton and also watched the Indian hockey team play, something I otherwise would never possibly look to do.

"As an Indian player, I would definitely like to play in events like Asian Games or Olympics or Commonwealth Games," Kumble told NDTV.

The former captain was reacting to BCCI's decision not to send either the men's or women's team to the Asian Games scheduled in Guangzhou, China in November where cricket is making its debut.

BCCI cited international commitment as the reason behind not sending teams even though it failed to convince most, including Vijender.

The Beijing Olympic bronze medallist slammed BCCI and said cricket should be scrapped from Asian Games if teams like India snubbed the event.

"If they don't want to play there, cricket should be thrown out of Asian Games," an angry Vijender said.

"If India doesn't participate in cricket, having it there is meaningless," he said.

Vijender was also not convinced by BCCI's reasoning -- international commitments -- for skipping the multi-sport event.

"See, we too have commitments but when it comes to Asian Games or Commonwealth Games or Olympics, we put aside everything else and go there.

"On such occasions, every other commitment is secondary and priority is representing the country. It's about national pride," added Vijender.