Sunday, April 25, 2010

'Pampore site for cricket stadium better than Mohali'

Srinagar, June 19: The chief curator, Board of Control for Cricket in India, Daljit Singh, Friday, described the proposed site for new cricket stadium at Pampore as one of the best in the world for international cricketing venue.
Daljit who is in valley for a two-day visit during which he will assess the work on the Sheri-Kashmir Stadium Sonwar and also at other venues, said, “The development work at SK Stadium is almost over. New grass has been relayed and also the new turf. After inspecting both the sites, I’m satisfied with the work and only fine leveling is needed to be done. For fine leveling, I’ll take soil samples for testing. Then we will give instructions to state curators about how to do fine leveling.”
The chief curator said that the ultra modern under ground irrigation system that has been laid in the SK Stadium is among the best in the country.
“In India, only few grounds have got this system and even Mohali ground which is reckoned among the best in the world lacks this system. In that sense I reckon SK Stadium among the best in country,” he said.
He said that SK Stadium is not suitable for hosting international matches, as the venues have to pass through strict procedures of International Cricket Council.
“After fine leveling, the Stadium would be ready to host any kind of Ranji and domestic match but for International matches it is not fit. For international matches ICC will not approve t due to various reasons,” he said.
Though he rejected any possibility of holding international matches in SK Stadium, he described the proposed venue of new cricket stadia at Pampore one of the best in the World.
“Pampore site is beautiful and the surroundings fantastic. I’ve visited number of countries, seen number of stadiums and I can say with authority that it is among the best. In our country there is no such location and after its completion it will be reckoned as best in the country” chief curator said.
Hailing J&K Cricket Association for choosing such a location for new stadium, he said, “Currently wherever new stadiums are being built they are located very far from main city and it take hours for spectators to reach there. But with this stadium story is different as it is close to heart of city and the soil quality is good,” he said.
About training people from JK in pitch making and maintenance, he said, “We are planning to organize seminar for the JK people in collaboration with JKCA next month here. In that local persons will trained in pitch making maintenance art.”
The BCCI curator also advised Team India to have their conditioning coaching camps before going for foreign tour, in Srinagar.
“Srinagar is the best place to hold condition camp of Team India prior to going for foreign tour. Team India used to hold its camp in Bangalore prior to going to foreign tours. But nowadays temperature in that city also remains in between 35-45 degrees range. I advise team management to arrange camps here in Srinagar,” he said.
“For conditioning camp SK stadium has got all the facilities that are needed. Here hotels are good, climatic condition is excellent and moreover stadium is surrounded by beautiful tall Chinar trees,” he added.


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