The Karnataka State Cricket Association, which hopes to build a cricket stadium on government land at Bondel, will send a proposal to the government soon, according to said noted all-rounder and KSCA honorary secretary Brijesh Patel.
Mr. Patel told reporters here on Wednesday cricket enthusiasts were demanding a cricket stadium. The 10-acre area, which is a few metres from the proposed District Ranga Mandira, was suited for a stadium.
“We will send a proposal to the Government in the next few days,” he said, adding it may take about two years to build the stadium of international standards and which could accommodate 16,000 spectators.
Deputy commissioner A.B. Ibrahim who was with him said the land, which is close to the Mangaluru International Airport, would be leased to the KSCA for 30 years. “Once a proposal is given, we will place it before the committee headed by the minister in charge of the district B. Ramanath Rai and then send it to the Government,” he said.
Mr. Patel later inspected the location along with Mr. Ibrahim, KSCA Mangalore Zone Convener Manohar Amin and officials from revenue and public works departments.
The land was once proposed to house the district administration complex. While the ground alone would be four acres, facilities such as practice pitches and club house would come up on the remaining area. The cricket association would consult an architect after getting the exact extent of the land that would be available.
Mr. Patel said the cricket association would have a stadium in each district if land were available. It was focussed on improving facilities in district areas. It had instlled ground and lights in Hubli, where matches of the Karnataka Premier League and Ranji Trophy are held, and readied the lights and pavilion in Raichur and Belagavi.
