KCA rubbishes rumours about IPL’s Kochi franchise

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - The Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) Friday rubbished news reports that Indian Premier League’s (IPL) Kochi franchisee, Rendezvous Sports World Ltd, offloaded its 25 percent stake to some unknown entity for free.

KCA secretary K.C. Matthew told IANS Friday that he had spoken to Vivek Venugopal, co-owner of the Kochi franchisee, and Venugopal had told him that “everything is fine”.

“Vivek has denied media reports of selling any stake to anyone and promised that everything will be sorted out when the Rendezvous Sports World partners meet the IPL officials,” said Mathew.

“I was also told that they have followed the rules laid down in the tender document. Everything is in order,” he said.

Rendezvous Sports World, a consortium of five companies, won the Kochi franchise for Rs.1,533 crore. Along with Kochi, Pune is the other team that will make their IPL debut next season.

Media reports also said that a minister, a former national captain and a current India cricketer are also a part of the consortium.