by a Thinker, Sailor, Blogger, Irreverent Guy from Madras

Woe Cup, Cheer Cup or Cheap Cup?


I’ve been inundated with this query today, with all and sundry agog with the startling news.  Indian media suddenly gone to the dogs with the allegation that the ICC Cricket World Cup which India won on Saturday was not the ‘original’ one, but a ‘copy’ or ‘fake’.

I was clearing the air with all those ‘sundry’, till I noticed an email from a good friend and mentor on the subject - a person who should know better on the subject of Indian Customs Service.  After all he, more than me, has gone through the customs of not only India, but many countries in the World while sailing, and more so, has had experience of the Custom formalities as a Shore Manager.

That person should have even more understanding of the subject since he would have had even more exposure to stricter controls in the years since I’ve left the service.  What ever, here is my redacted reply:
(the italics are words which have been added for an elaborate post)
----------------------------
As for the WC it is not 'replica'.  it is all an unnecessary and unqualified media hype of a practical problem - and we (like us who know how the Indian Customs Service works) should know better.

First the basics - the Prudential World Cup which we won in 1983 and which Kapil Dev so famously lifted was a 'rolling trophy' - the winning team kept it for 4 years and then the trophy was given back to the ICC to be awarded to the next winner.

Sometime later - I think it was after Prudential Insurance ceased to be the sponsors, and it became clear that ICC itself could make enough money for such a trophy, it was decided to make a permanent 'ICC trophy’ which will not be a 'rolling' trophy.

Then it gives logically that there has to be two trophies - an ICC 'perpetual' trophy and a 'winners' trophy.

The perpetual trophy is to be permanently on display with ICC and used for promotional events and the like (including presentations, if local laws permit), and the 'Winners' trophy to be handed over to the winning cricket team for their parent associations to be held 'in perpetuity'.

Here, it seems that the Indian Customs in all their wisdom refused to allow the 'perpetual' trophy to be brought into India without paying customs duty - such duty paid to be repaid back when the 'perpetual' trophy is repatriated back.  The ICC and the BCCI didn't accept that - their view (presumed) is that it is 'personal' baggage of an ICC official and has to be treated as such and if necessary endorse it in the passport of the individual and allow it to be repatriated back.

I hope it is clear and as responsible citizens, let us not allow this hype to take wings anymore.
We have been awarded 'the' trophy that was ours.

2 comments:

  1. The retards have to start something to spoil the occasion. Make news out of thin air.

    ReplyDelete
  2. LOL
    too bad that we can't convert all that 'gas' into gasoline - would do mother earth a lot of good!
    :=)

    ReplyDelete

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