Next ICL at Panchkula in October: Kapil

Chandigarh, Jul 20 (UNI) Announcing that the Indian Cricket League (ICL) would be played in October at the Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex in Panchkula, ICL chairman Kapil Dev Nikhanj said that the dates would be announced shortly.

Kapil promised more surprises in the next ICL but gave no details.

Asked whether the ICL would also conduct matches in Chandigarh, cricket icon Kapil said during the Meet the Press organised by Chandigarh Press Club here today, that ICL was ready to host the matches if the Administration accorded permission. Better sports facilities are available here in comparison to other states, he added.

Kapil said "if I were not born in Chandigarh and utilised the facilities here -- Sector 16 Cricket Stadium, I would not have played cricket to the highest level".

Kapil claimed that the Punjab Cricket Association would not allot any international match to Chandigarh. However, the ICL had offered to host international matches at Chandigarh, but the Administration looked towards the Board of Control for Cricket in India, he said.

The ICL had requested the Chandigarh Administration for allowing it to host matches at the Sector 16 Stadium which had been turned down.

Meanwhile, Chandigarh Sports Director Inderjit Singh Sandhu confirmed that a request from the ICL was received. "The ICL wanted the stadium on league for a long duration but the Administration had taken a decision not to give the stadium on lease for a long period".

However, anybody, including ICL, could take the stadium for conducting the matches but the stadium cannot be gives on lease, Mr Sandhu added. Anyone could take the stadium on the prescribed terms and conditions, he added.

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