World class cricket stadiums in J

Srinagar, May 5 (UNI) The Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) will soon approach Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad for allotment of land to construct world class stadiums in the state.

This was informed by JKCA President and former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah in an interview to Doordarshan, telecast last night.

''Our main difficulty is that there are hardly any playgrounds in the state. Our children are forced to play in streets, parks and roads. There is no ground in Jammu, but one in Srinagar that belongs to the government,'' he added.

Dr Abdullah said the game of cricket will not flourish in the state till the JKCA has its own ground.

He also welcomed the BCCI's decision to increase from Rs 4 crore to Rs ten crore the amount paid to the state associations for construction of world class stadiums.

''We will appeal to the state government to show us the land in Jammu and Srinagar where cricket stadiums would be constructed. But, we would like to restrict these grounds to cricket only and not to be used for other activities,'' Dr Abdullah added.

He said these grounds should not be used for political activities or for Republic Day and Independent Day functions.

''I will soon meet Mr Azad and request him to provide us with the land for construction of the cricket stadiums,'' he added.

Dr Abdullah said the entire process of acquiring the land and constructing the cricket stadiums will take at least two years.

The Punjab Cricket Association and the Delhi Cricket Association have offered to provide the expertise in constructing world class stadiums in Jammu and Kashmir, he added.

MORE UNI FMH YSS PG BD1653