Outlook is dismayed by the reaction of former Indian cricket coach MrAnshuman Gaekwad saying that Outlook had 'falsely interpreted' his interviewregarding use of steroids and cortisones by members of the Indian cricket team.
On June 7 afternoon, in connection with the 'Drugs and Cricket' story, wemade a telephone call to Mr Anshuman Gaekwad seeking his views on the prevalenceof performance-enhancing drugs in cricket. He conceded over telephone that useof drugs was common in the Indian cricket team and explained how the playerswere doing everything possible to keep themselves fit and alert.
He also explained how drugs had changed the face of the game. When requestedfor a detailed interview on the subject, Mr Gaekwad agreed. Subsequently, theOutlook interview was conducted on the morning of June 9, 2001, at Mr Gaekwad'soffice at Gujarat State Fertilisers and Chemicals Limited at Vadodara.
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The interview with Mr Gaekwad lasted for over one-and-a-half hours.Throughout the interview he maintained that he had nothing to hide and thateverything was on record.
After returning from the Baroda, Outlook got back again to Mr Gaekwad after afew days to find out if he could specifically name the drugs which the Indiancricketers were using. Mr Gaekwad's reply was he did not know of any exceptsteroids and cortisones which he had mentioned in the interview.
Whatever has appeared in the Gaekwad interview, not a word has been added ordeleted to what Mr Gaekwad said. We stand by the interview.
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It had been reported in some papers today (viz. Asian Age and Indian Express,Mumbai) that Gaekwad is planning to slap a legal notice on Outlook for"false interpretation" of his interview, which dealt with the allegeduse of steroids by some members of the Indian cricket team.
According to the Asian Age, Gaekwad denied all his "charges" andsaid that the interview was "completely twisted and misinterpreted".The former India opening batsman said, "I am completely shocked by what hasappeared in the magazine.
"I have been so close to all the team members and know all of them verywell. In the said interview, I had talked about the energy drinks that playerstake to replace their energy. How words such as steroids and drugs wereconcocted is beyond me" Asian Age quoted him as saying.
Charging Outlook with "mixing up the words", the ex-coach insistedthat there was no mention of words like steroids and cortisones in his interviewand that he had only referred to the sports drinks that players take duringintervals.
When asked to elaborate on the "energy drinks", which were"falsely interpreted" as "steroid formulations", Gaekwadsaid, "With energy drinks, I meant the drinks that players take duringintervals or even on the field to pep themselves up.
These are not 'performance-enhancing' drinks, but they only help replenishtheir energy. These energy drinks or sports drinks are taken by cricketers fromAustralia, South Africa, New Zealand and even England. It is no big deal if theIndian players also consume them."
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According the Cricketnext.com the BCCI is to back Gaekwad to the hilt when hegoes ahead and sues Outlook. "He will have the backing of the board if hesues the magazine", BCCI secretary Jaywant Lele thundered from Baroda.
"It's time someone goes to court against publishing such nonsense",the irrepressible Lele added.
