The Hindu : Kerala News : A pitch for cricket

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Friday, Nov 03, 2006
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A pitch for cricket

GREEN OUTFIELD: The Kozhikode corporation stadium. — Photo: S. Ramesh Kurup

The last time the willow met the leather at the Corporation Stadium was in 1994, when the West Indies took on Mumbai in a three-day encounter. The match, however, had to be called off after the opening day owing to law and order problems in the wake of a bandh.

Twelve years later, the Kozhikode District Cricket Association (KDCA) officials are hoping that international cricket would return to the city.

The KDCA members are keeping their fingers crossed as a second round of discussions, on the feasibility of playing international cricket at the stadium, with the Kozhikode Corporation authorities is scheduled for November 6. "The talks we had with the Mayor on Wednesday were fruitful," said KDCA secretary O.K. Manoharan.

Mayor M. Bhaskaran told The Hindu that the Corporation would be happy if different sports could be played in the stadium. "It would be nice if the cricket fans in Malabar could watch an international cricket match at Kozhikode," he said.

So far, only football has been played in the stadium. The stadium was reopened early last year after eight years of renovation. The Kozhikode District Football Association (KDFA), which has been maintaining the ground, feels that playing other sports might harm the turf. "We don't have any objection if other games are played without any damage to the turf," said A.K. Musthafa, vice-president, KDFA.

Mr. Bhaskaran said such issues would be discussed at the meeting on Monday. "The views of the KDFA will also be considered," he said.

P.K. AJITH KUMAR

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