Bhubaneswar clubs demand exclusive cricket stadium

Leading local cricket clubs and associations have come together to demand construction of an exclusive cricket stadium in Bhubaneswar.

The clubs have appealed to the state government to provide the required land to the Orissa Cricket Association (OCA) free of cost so that an exclusive cricket stadium with a seating capacity of 50,000 could be built, Sanjay Satpathy, a former state Ranji pace bowler told newsmen on Sunday.

Speaking on behalf of over 15 clubs and associations in the capital, Satpathy and two other former Ranji players said they had come together to realise their goal of having the stadium in Bhubaneswar, the only state capital which despite having all facilities lacked a proper sporting facility.

It would be difficult for Orissa to host Test matches in future as Cuttack, where the Barabati Stadium - the state's only sports complex of international repute - was located, did not have a five star hotel, they said.

According to BCCI stipulations, Bhubaneswar, which has a string of stately hotels, would qualify for hosting international matches provided a modern cricket stadium came up there.

If the stadium was built in the capital it would go a long way in harnessing the budding cricketing talents in the state and would also create a positive environment for the future of the game, they said.

They said their forum would act as the third force and coordinate between the OCA and the state government to iron out difficulties and expedite construction of the stadium.

Asked why the OCA insisted on availing the land free of the cost from the government, they said the OCA was not a profit making organisation. "If the land was given to the OCA free, other expenses could be met from their own funds. Once we have two facilities for cricket in the state, it would help groom new talents," they said.

Asked whether the idea to have an exclusive cricket stadium in the capital struck their mind after Shiv Sundar Das and Debasish Mohanty found place in the Indian team, they said the demand was very apt for the future of the game in Orissa.

"We are now preparing for posterity," they said adding that steps would be initiated to provide cricketing infrastructure including turf pitches in the capital. They also said they would request other leading clubs in the state to join hands with them in their endeavour.

The cricketers also said they wanted an amendment in the OCA byelaws so that clubs actively involved in the promotion of the game could get the right to vote during elections.

The Orissa team which entered the semifinals of the Ranji Trophy for the first time in the recently concluded season comprised as many as eight players from the state capital.

Former Ranji captain Ashok Jena, Dev Mohapatra and secretary of Mukteswar Cricket Club Asit Mallick were present at the press conference.