"I stand by my commitment of all help in holding the ICC KnockOut tournament in India," Sports Minister Uma Bharti said in New Delhi on Thursday. "I had invited the ICC to hold the tournament in our country and promised them all help including tax exemption, when Mr Gray met me in March," Bharti told PTI when contacted for her reaction to International Cricket Council President Malcolm Gray's letter to her.

"I will be very happy if the tournament is held in our country," added the Sports Minister who described cricket as "an expression of the nation's sentiment".

Earlier, apparently worried by the statement of BCCI secretary Jaywant Lele that India was "not necessarily keen" to host the ICC KnockOut tournament next year, International Cricket Council (ICC) chief Malcolm Gray appealed to Sports Minister Uma Bharti to continue to lend support to the event.

In a letter to Bharti, a copy of which was obtained by PTI, Gray said the ICC was still keen to hold the event in India. "I have been watching with great interest some of the statements about cricket emanating in the Indian press and have been encouraged by your statement and the line you are taking," Gray said a day after Lele's remarks sparked doubts that the Board might not host the competition. I hope that you will continue to lend your support to the event being held in India and to the obtaining of tax exemption for the tournament. As we discussed, whenever major sporting tournaments are held around the world, they are only located in tax-friendly environment."

"We are holding a meeting at the end of this week at which we hope to finalise our decision as to the venue for the 2002 KnockOut tournament," the ICC chief added.

Overruling Lele, BCCI President AC Muthiah said in Udhagamandalam on Thursday that India would host the event.

© PTI