The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Rajiv Gandhi Stadium gears up for IPL

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Thursday, Apr 17, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Rajiv Gandhi Stadium gears up for IPL

V.V. Subrahmanyam

Photo: G. Krishnaswamy

In the limelight: Deccan Chargers team pose for photograph in floodlights in Hyderabad on Wednesday. —

HYDERABAD: It was a very very special evening on Wednesday as Hyderabad had a slice of history by scripting a memorable chapter as the lights on all the six towers at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium (Uppal) were switched on for a ‘friendly’ match amongst the V. V. S. Laxman-led Deccan Chargers ahead of the IPL.

“This is a fantastic ambience. The lighting is really good. It is great to experience this. We had a feel of the lights from the middle and we were really comfortable. And the playing area really looks great. So much of improvement in just a couple of months,” remarked the stylish Laxman after a brief session under the tutelage of Robin Singh and in the company of the famous Australian duo of Adam Gilchrist and Andrew Symmonds and other team mates.

By all means, the magnificent venue is all geared up for the big guns of world cricket to grace it as seven IPL matches are scheduled here. “I don’t have words to describe my feelings. This is what I will remember for ever. A great day for Hyderabad cricket,” said a delighted N. Shivlal Yadav, HCA secretary even while reminding that this is the only stadium in India with six towers.

“I thank my entire team of office-bearers and members of HCA for fulfilling a longstanding dream of an exclusive floodlit cricket stadium,” remarked G. Vinod, Minister and president of HCA. “This is truly fabulous. And, what more can any cricketer ask for than this wonderful facility,” he added.

A spectator-friendly ambience in the stands is being ensured. Taking a cue from the Ranga Reddy district Collector Praveen Prakash recent directive on this front, all seats will be numbered and 80 per cent of the tickets will be for sale.

Refreshments will be provided and most of the eatables will be sold at the marked price. Parking for 15,000 vehicles will be in place in select zones and buses will take the elderly and the handicapped from the slots to the stadium as a special gesture.

A designated agency will ensure cleanliness in all the public utilities. The aim is to ensure that none of the 40,000 spectators will leave the venue complaining on any front, says Shivlal.

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