The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Cricket infrastructure in country to get a boost

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Wednesday, Jun 04, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Cricket infrastructure in country to get a boost

M. Raghuram

Chinnaswamy Stadium all set for a makeover

Move to make cricket stadiums self-sufficient
They have been asked to gear up for the 2011 World Cup

Photo: K. Bhagya Prakash

Confident: Brijesh Patel, Karnataka State Cricket Association secretary. —

BANGALORE: Galvanised by the financial success of the Indian Premier League (IPL), the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has big plans to improve facilities at the Chinnaswamy Stadium here. The nerve centre of cricket in the State, the Chinnaswamy Stadium rocked with cricket buffs during the preceding weeks, packed to its 50,000-capacity during the inaugural match.

Better facilities

“There will be more for cricket lovers in Bangalore; better amenities and a better playing environment for players at the stadium,” KSCA secretary Brijesh Patel told The Hindu. “There were times when the cricketing infrastructure — mainly the stadiums in the country — used to get one or two international matches a year, which used to draw big crowds. Even the Ranji Trophy and other national circuit matches never used to draw big crowds. The time is not far when every cricket stadium becomes self-sufficient. With the advent of the IPL, things have changed — there will be more matches in every cricket-loving city that draws big crowds,” he said. This is the first time in the country that cricket infrastructure has been put to maximum use, Mr. Patel added.

Improvements required

Chinnaswamy Stadium does need a makeover, particularly the drainage facility around the ground, the northern stand, besides some more air-conditioned areas, permanent seating facilities and perhaps an eatery at every stand, to enhance the viewing experience for fans.The KSCA has already been given permission by the Bruhat Bangalore Mahangara Palike to renovate the northern stand. The Karnataka Land Army Corporation will undertake work on the project. Speaking to The Hindu from Mumbai, Rathnakar Shetty, chief administrative officer of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (and also treasurer of the Mumbai Cricket Association), said all stadiums in the country should get ready for the 2011 World Cup.

“The stadiums that hosted the IPL fixtures will be those that will hold the World Cup matches also.

This means that these stadiums will have to be world-class. The seven matches each city hosted during the IPL generated considerable sums of money, and the stadiums are expected to get a good share for the development of cricket infrastructure,” he added.

Many cities across the country are working towards having at least one stadium devoted to cricket.

Pune in Maharashtra is developing a cricket complex at a cost of Rs. 250 crore, while the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Chepauk in Chennai and the stadium in Hyderabad, are being renovated. Smaller cities in Kerala, Goa, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat are also developing dedicated cricket stadiums, Mr. Shetty said.

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