Tiruchirappalli: Union minister of state for sports and youth affairs, Pon Radhakrishnan, on Wednesday suggested that the newly formed Indian Cricket Players Association (ICPA) strive to promote the game and encourage talent in the sub- continent.

He told reporters here that the union government would extend full support to the association. Referring to the doping scandal involving ace athlete Sunita Rani, who tested positive at the recently concluded Busan Asian games, he said investigations were still on, "Things were in order before she left and some mistakes took place afterwards. Details are not known."

He said the sports ministry had asked for en explanation from the Indian Olympics Association (IOA) and Sports Federation of India (SFI) on this issue.

The minister said that a Rs 10 crore sports training centre, on the lines of the one at Patiala, would come up at Thikuruchi in Nagercoil district. It would impart training in various disciplines like hockey, volleyball, rowing and also in gymnastics, tennis and athletics. There were also plans to include archery.

In the first phase, coaches and trainers would be drawn from the SAI. Subsequently, the services of foreign coaches would be sought, he added.

PTI