ICC delegation visits Mohali stadium

Mohali, June 11 (UNI) A two-member team of International Cricket Council (ICC) today gave a power point presentation at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) stadium here.

PCA secretary M P Pandove, who is also the joint secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), described the visit of the ICC representatives Micky Dudhia (liason officer) and Chris Nockels (event coordinator) as 'routine'.

Addressing a press conference soon after the power point presentation, Pandove said the ICC representatives were visiting all four venues --- Mohali, Mumbai, Jaipur and Ahmedabad --which have been selected to host the ICC Champions Trophy-2006 matches in October-November.

The ICC representatives had discussions with the PCA officials to have first hand information regarding arrangements being made by the host states.

Participating teams agreement, kitting plan and pattern and work to be done by the staging associations were discussed.

Pandove said that the extension work of the PCA stadium was in progress and the work upto the terrace block would be ready, which will also provide a medical room and improved television coverage facilities. The seating capacity in the terrace block would be raised to 2500 from the existing 2000.

A dope test centre will also be set up at the PCA Stadium.

Pandove said the samples collected here would be sent to an accredited laboratory of the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) in a foreign country.

Pandove disclosed that the PCA had submitted a security plan, explaining in detail the steps taken for hosting an international match. The security plan including ticketing, crowd control, traffic control were discussed. A former Director General of Police Nikhil Kumar, is coordinating the security plan for all the four venues.

The PCA will be hosting four matches. On October 7, Sri Lanka will play Bangladesh in the qualifying round. On October 25, New Zealand are pitted against Pakistan and on October 27, Pakistan have been drawn to meet South Africa in the group competitions.

One semi-final will be played on November 1 at Mohali. The second semi-final will be played at Jaipur on November 2. Mumbai is the venue of the final on November 5.

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