'Clean' Kotla will host World Cup 2011 matches, says DDCA

New Delhi, May 17 (UNI) Dispelling apprehensions that the existing tie-up with a corporate house will rule out Forezeshah Kotla as a venue for the 2011 Cricket World Cup, DDCA today exuded confidence that they would get the stadium 'clean' well in time to host the matches.

Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) Vice President CK Khanna said Kotla missed Champions Trophy matches because it could not be made free of signages.

''Of course it's sad that we lost Champions Trophy matches because we could not offer a 'clean' stadium. But it would not be the same case with World Cup 2011,'' he told UNI, on the sidelines of the Chand Khanna Under-19 Talent Search Cricket Tournament, which was inaugurated by DDCA President Arun Jaitley.

''You have the same problem in Kolkata and Mumbai as well.

But we are hopeful of a way out. We do have an agreement with a corporate house but we will take up the matter with them and I don't think it would come in the way of hosting World Cup matches here,'' he added.

Mr Khanna, also a former BCCI Vice President, also informed that the final phase of the construction work in Kotla would be completed in the next six months and it would accommodate 50,000 crowd at that time.

''We will start installing the floodlights in January next and construction of the swimming pool and new club house would commence next summer.'' The stadium will have an indoor practice wicket as well, he said adding former national opener and another DDCA Vice President Chetan Chauhan would monitor the work.

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