Not RuMours! Ruchir Modi is here to stay

With BCCI and Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) agreeing to a truce and IPL preparations going on at full throttle in Rajasthan, outcast Lalit Modi's son and Alwar District Cricket Association’s president Ruchir Modi has extended support in taking cricket in the state to the next level. Ruchir feels that ban on his father hasn't affected his status in the association and rather he has been welcomed by everyone. In conversation with DNA, the young administrator has announced his intentions of not leaving Rajasthan and working for the cause of cricket.Excerpts:

Q. One of the main conditions of BCCI that RCA has accepted is that Lalit Modi will not be connected with cricket directly or indirectly. So how do you react to this?

RM: He is a very passionate man when it comes to cricket, it’s in his blood. He is definitely disappointed with these onerous conditions put by BCCI, but let us give him the credit for his creation of the league. Without his incumbent support and constant efforts to bring more relevance and importance to new and upcoming players. The league is a success today. Besides, this, there is a sense of loss which is felt at a personal level. On the other hand, his dream is alive and growing with great speed with the reinstatement of the RCA.

Q . Though you have offered support to RCA, do you think the association's office bearers will even consider that fearing BCCI's backlash as you are Lalit Modi’s son?

RM: It is evident that they are happy to have me as an integral part of the association. They have been very supportive of my participation in uplifting the RCA and bringing it back to its former glory. Given the recent bout of events, I hope that this will have a positive effect on everyone in the association. Hence I doubt that I’ll be receiving any backlash in my father’s name. Instead, I get a lot of love and affection from people for being the son of one and only Lalit Modi.   Since he has accepted every ruling and undertaking, it’s only fair to say that he has gracefully stepped out and sacrificed his position in the association without which lifting of ban could never have been possible and the BCCI, and therefore it will not affect me in any manner.

Q. Given the circumstances, would you still stay in Rajasthan?

RM: OF COURSE, I will continue to stay in Rajasthan and work for the improvement of cricket in the state and in my own district. Positions and power doesn’t  hold any meaning to me if it does bring about the change required to improve the condition of the game in the state. 

Q. Your father was hands-on man with so much of cricketing and marketing experience, but, you have spent little time in Rajasthan, so how can you promote cricket in the state? 

RM: Cricket is my passion too, because I have grown up watching my father very closely and shown tremendous interest in the sport, he always kept me updated on cricket and the association. Just like my father, I too may not be a player, but I have learnt how the system functions. Including the experience, I have gathered in the recent past with latest rulings and many factors in addition.

Also, promoting cricket in a nation that is so passionate about the game will be a great challenge and yet it will be interesting. I am ready to embark on this journey in promoting the game. Considering my international marketing experience, I have been exposed to because of living in two different environments (India and England), I feel that I will be able to contribute more to the benefit of the association and its players.

Q. It’s more than a year now since you became Alwar District Cricket Association’s president. We would like to know how you have facilitated cricket there?

RM: I feel it is my responsibility to see this through and make it a success, despite the big shoes I have to fill. The challenges I have faced and overcome have added more value to my mission and vision to improve the condition of the facilities and play in the right spirit of the game.

Q. Given so much hostility, you think being a son of Lalit Modi, pitch has been queered for you?

RM: The hostility and the politics have not affected me. It has done the opposite, and given me the confidence to handle the situation at present. I have never used my father’s name for any reason when it comes to business or cricket. I do not intent to do so in the future either.