The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Take up non-allocation of match: Man Singh

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Take up non-allocation of match: Man Singh

Principal Correspondent

HYDERABAD: P.R. Man Singh, former secretary of Hyderabad Cricket Association, has said that HCA should take up the issue with the Board of Control for Cricket in India about not being allotted any match in the 2011 World Cup to be jointly hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

In a letter addressed to the HCA secretary, Man Singh pointed out that when India hosted two World Cups in the past in 1987 and 1996, Hyderabad hosted matches at the Lal Bahadur Stadium.

“But ironically now, when we have a world class stadium in place, HCA has been ignored and smaller centres like Nagpur and Ahmedabad were preferred. What is the use in having such a fabulous stadium if matches are not allotted?” he asked.

“When the original schedule was finalised, then we thought perhaps it was too early for the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium to host a World Cup match. But, after Pakistan was barred from hosting World Cup matches and the entire event was rescheduled, one thought Hyderabad would get the nod,” Man Singh said.

“HCA is senior to Nagpur, Ahmedabad, Mohali and Bangalore in staging a Test match, having hosted one in 1955. It also enjoys seniority in the BCCI and most importantly, HCA has the best cricket stadium in the country,” Man Singh pointed out.

“With the exception of Mumbai and Chennai, Hyderabad has a longer cricketing history than the four venues mentioned above. And when Hyderabad boasts of the best of hotels and airport with connectivity to every part of the country, how is it that HCA is ignored for such a prestigious event?” he asked.

“It is ironical that the chosen eight venues would host 29 matches which effectively means a minimum of three each. Considering the organisational skills of the HCA over the years at a venue like Lal Bahadur Stadium, one feels that it has not got its due despite having a great stadium,” he said.

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