CRICKET GROUND FACELIFT LEAVES PLAYERS STUMPED
GCA expertise will be used to renovate Gujarat College cricket ground in a proposed Rs 3.5-crore project; students fear being banned from new turf
Yogesh Avasthi and Pranjal Protim Boruah
Posted On Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Yogesh Avasthi and Pranjal Protim Boruah
Posted On Tuesday, August 20, 2013
(http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/article/2/20130820201308200226075431d7e1398/CRICKET-GROUND-FACELIFT-LEAVES-PLAYERS-STUMPED.html)
The historic cricket ground of Gujarat Arts and Science College at Ellisbridge is going to receive a facelift soon. Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) has proposed to lay five turf wickets on ‘A’ ground and five synthetic practice pitches on ‘B’ ground. While many welcomed the project, it has created confusion and unrest among youths who have had a free run of the ground for so long. They worry that the college will lose control over the ground and association members might bar them from playing on the new pitches.
Confirming the news, Principal A S Rathore says, “Since its inception, our ground has been famous for hosting sports activities. Several prominent players have played on this ground.” The ground at Ahmedabad’s oldest college was once trolled by the likes of Vijay Hazare, Syed Mustaq Ali, Nari Contractor, Rusi Surti and Sachin Tendulkar among others. Rathore says, “Authorities felt our large ground in the heart of the city must be used for better purpose.
Hence, the decision was taken to renovate the ground. The ground is owned by the government who has sanctioned Rs 3.5 crore for the facelift. The project is executed by the Road & Building department.” However, not everything is hunky- dory. Several sports lovers who have built a part of their lives around this ground are despondent. A TYBA student, seeking anonymity, says, “Students play freely here.
Outsiders, too, make use of this ground for sporting activities. Developing this area is a great idea. It will help us hone our skills. However, it will be possible only if we can gain access to the ground. The facilities provided by GCA should be accessible to students.” “There are many aspects one has to look into. While it is good that the ground and wickets are being given a facelift with GCA expertise, it also means the end of coaching camps here. It is understood that GCA will not allow amateurs to practice on such expensive turf,” a source says, adding, “Earlier, a lot of local tournaments were played here as the ground was available for around Rs 2,000.
Following the facelift, we expect the fee to rise. Then, it will become financially impossible for many organizers to hold tournaments here.” The expansive ground has hosted not only the prestigious Ranji Trophy but also Vijay Hazare Trophy, Cooch Behar Trophy and Rohinton Baria Trophy. It also has facilities for football, lawn tennis and hockey. Refusing to be named, college sources expressed their helplessness.
“Confusion arose due to the lack of clarity on the project. The MoU has not been signed, yet work on the project has begun. We do not know who will end up having control of the ground. We are a government college and have to follow decisions made by the state,” they say. GCA, however, allays such fears. “We are not going to take over the ground. We will just maintain the ground,” said a senior association member, on condition of anonymity.
“The ground has a rich history. And it was our former president who oversaw the laying of turf wickets here. But it was not maintained properly and the ground suffered,” he says. Explaining the move to renovate the college ground, he says, “Ahmedabad Education Society has closed three of its grounds and we are short of space to host various district-level tournaments. Hence we decided to focus on Gujarat College ground.”
Last year, 12 such tournaments and 274 matches were held in Ahmedabad. The source maintained that the college would have full control of the ground. “The ground and the college belong to the government that has decided to restore it to its former glory. New dressing rooms and stands for spectators are part of the project,” he adds. Interestingly, GCA secretary Rajesh Patel denies the association was involved in the project. “We are just helping the government by providing expertise needed to lay the turf and set up other facilities,” he clarifies.
The historic cricket ground of Gujarat Arts and Science College at Ellisbridge is going to receive a facelift soon. Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) has proposed to lay five turf wickets on ‘A’ ground and five synthetic practice pitches on ‘B’ ground. While many welcomed the project, it has created confusion and unrest among youths who have had a free run of the ground for so long. They worry that the college will lose control over the ground and association members might bar them from playing on the new pitches.
Confirming the news, Principal A S Rathore says, “Since its inception, our ground has been famous for hosting sports activities. Several prominent players have played on this ground.” The ground at Ahmedabad’s oldest college was once trolled by the likes of Vijay Hazare, Syed Mustaq Ali, Nari Contractor, Rusi Surti and Sachin Tendulkar among others. Rathore says, “Authorities felt our large ground in the heart of the city must be used for better purpose.
Hence, the decision was taken to renovate the ground. The ground is owned by the government who has sanctioned Rs 3.5 crore for the facelift. The project is executed by the Road & Building department.” However, not everything is hunky- dory. Several sports lovers who have built a part of their lives around this ground are despondent. A TYBA student, seeking anonymity, says, “Students play freely here.
Outsiders, too, make use of this ground for sporting activities. Developing this area is a great idea. It will help us hone our skills. However, it will be possible only if we can gain access to the ground. The facilities provided by GCA should be accessible to students.” “There are many aspects one has to look into. While it is good that the ground and wickets are being given a facelift with GCA expertise, it also means the end of coaching camps here. It is understood that GCA will not allow amateurs to practice on such expensive turf,” a source says, adding, “Earlier, a lot of local tournaments were played here as the ground was available for around Rs 2,000.
Following the facelift, we expect the fee to rise. Then, it will become financially impossible for many organizers to hold tournaments here.” The expansive ground has hosted not only the prestigious Ranji Trophy but also Vijay Hazare Trophy, Cooch Behar Trophy and Rohinton Baria Trophy. It also has facilities for football, lawn tennis and hockey. Refusing to be named, college sources expressed their helplessness.
“Confusion arose due to the lack of clarity on the project. The MoU has not been signed, yet work on the project has begun. We do not know who will end up having control of the ground. We are a government college and have to follow decisions made by the state,” they say. GCA, however, allays such fears. “We are not going to take over the ground. We will just maintain the ground,” said a senior association member, on condition of anonymity.
“The ground has a rich history. And it was our former president who oversaw the laying of turf wickets here. But it was not maintained properly and the ground suffered,” he says. Explaining the move to renovate the college ground, he says, “Ahmedabad Education Society has closed three of its grounds and we are short of space to host various district-level tournaments. Hence we decided to focus on Gujarat College ground.”
Last year, 12 such tournaments and 274 matches were held in Ahmedabad. The source maintained that the college would have full control of the ground. “The ground and the college belong to the government that has decided to restore it to its former glory. New dressing rooms and stands for spectators are part of the project,” he adds. Interestingly, GCA secretary Rajesh Patel denies the association was involved in the project. “We are just helping the government by providing expertise needed to lay the turf and set up other facilities,” he clarifies.
