Dharamshala cricket stadium to be ready by next year

Chandigarh, June 30 (UNI) The Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala is likely to be completed by April next year and for this the BCCI has given a sum of Rs six crore.

This assurance was given by HPCA president Anurag Thakur to Sharad Pawar, president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in New Delhi yesterday.

Addressing mediapersons at the Chandigarh Press Club here today, Thakur said the BCCI had recognised the HPCA, headed by him. '' I have been authorised by the BCCI to manage the cricket activities in Himachal'', he said.

The BCCI president has also granted Rs six crore for completion of the work at the Dharamshala Stadium, he said. ''With availability of funds, the stadium would be ready in all respects in April next year,'' he added.

Thakur said the HPCA was importing a bowling machine for indoor practice, for which five to six pitches would be laid in Dharamshala. Top class accommodation in the stadium was also part of the ambitious project, he said.

'' The state association had already spent Rs 12 crore for constructing the modern stadium in Dharamshala and the BCCI contribution in this was Rs four crore. The Dharamshala is already on the world cricket map as besides hosting, Ranji Trophy and Duleep Trophy matches, a India-Pakistan match was also played there, ''Thakur said.

Thakur also disclosed that Pakistan captain Inzamamul Haq had met him at Abu Dhabi recently and had expressed his desire to play at Dharamshala.

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