Motera upping quantity, Mohali quality for ICC Champions Trophy

New Delhi, Apr 28 (UNI) Set to host five matches apiece during the ICC Champions Trophy in October-November this year, Motera in Ahmedabad and Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) stadium in Mohali will undergo a major facelift, however, in contrasting fashion.

While the Gujarat Cricket Association's (GCA) thrust is upon increasing the capacity of the ground, the PCA has no such plans and underlines augmenting quality services to the spectators rather than opting for quantity.

Talking to UNI here yesterday, GCA President Narhari Amin said the asscociation had earmarked Rs seven to eight crore for the renovation work.

''We are in the process of expanding the seating capacity in the North and East stands by seven thousand. That would take the total capacity of the stadium to 57,000,'' Mr Amin said and added the association would make sure that every spectator gets a chair to sit.

On the ground condtions, he pointed out that the ICC curator Andy Atkinson had praised the pitch but the association was far from being complacent.

''For the next five months we will stress upon improving the ground condtions. In all three strips will be laid and the matches will be played on any two of them. We also plan to make an excellent outfield so that spectators enjoy a good contest.'' he added.

The PCA stadium in Mohali, hailed as one of the best venues in India, however is not going to see any increase in the seating capacity.

''We are not going to increase the capacity at all. We won't mindlessly run after quantity and compromise on quality of the services by just trying to accomodate more spectators,'' PCA president I S Bindra told UNI.

''We want to ensure that we provide enough parking space and toilets to those who have paid to watch the matches. And we should be able to vacate the ground in three minutes if there is any emergency,'' he said.

Mr Bindra said the media facilities were being enhanced and the players would be provided with even better ground condtions.

''We have expanded the media box to 200 and a state-of-the-art commentators' box is coming up. We want to provide facilities and quality services which are at par with SCG or the Lords.'' Apart from the Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh qualifying match on October 27, Mohali will play host to New Zealand vs Pakistan (October 25), Pakistan vs South Africa (October 27) and mouthwatering India vs Australia clash (October 29) in the main event before hosting the first semifinal on November 1.

Ahmedabad, on the other hand hosts West Indies vs Zimbabwe (October 8) and Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe (October 10) in the qualifiers. In the main event, Motera hosts South Africa vs Qualifier 1 (October 24), India vs Qualifier 2 (October 26) and England vs Qualifier 2 (October 28).

The other two venues are Mumbai and Jaipur.

UNI DH PM VV1518