Kirsten denies telling players to have sex to play better

CRICKET: CENTURION, South Africa, Sept 26, 2009 - India coach Gary Kirsten on Friday said he was hurt by charges that he encouraged Indian cricketers to have sex to boost on-field performance.

"My family and I have been deeply offended and hurt by the many allegations that I encouraged the Indian players to engage in sexual activity before a match," Kirsten said, reading from a prepared statement.

"I would like to state that I have never, and I repeat never, encouraged or told the team or any player to engage in any form of sexual activity."

A leading Indian newspaper recently reported that the benefits of sex also feature in a secret document circulated among players by the coach and mental conditioning expert Paddy Upton.

"These allegations are absolutely not true and completely against my religious and moral beliefs," Kirsten said here.

"The leaked article was compiled by Mr Paddy Upton and provided information for the players on the relationship between sexual activity and sports performance."I never wrote the article and read it for the first time two days ago. It has never been and never will be part of team strategy.

"I have been deeply disturbed by these false allegations and wish to focus my attention on helping Team India have a successful Champions Trophy."

- AFP