The picturesque PDCA-CSR Sarma College Grounds, which is all set to host first class cricket next week, is a feather in the cap of the Andhra Cricket Association (ACA).
The State-of-the-art stadium is also a dazzling diamond on the crown of Ongole which lacked a quality stadium for any sport hitherto.
The entire area with thorny bushes was the home of poisonous snakes and other creatures till 2008 when the Prakasam District Cricket Association and C.S.R. Sarma College decided to enter into a memorandum of understanding as part of the ACA’s vision to develop stadia in all the districts to spot and nurture talented youth.
Now the state-of-the-art stadium with all facilities meeting the stringent stipulations of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is fully geared to host its maiden Ranji match between Andhra and Tripura from January 13, coinciding with the harvest festival of Sankranti. This was made possible thanks to the foresight of college secretary and correspondent Karavadi Venkateswarulu, a freedom fighter, and untiring efforts of Prakasam District Cricket Association president Mohan Das and other functionaries who spent more than Rs. one crore to develop the stadium with all the facilities.
The state-of-the-art stadium is fully geared to host its maiden Ranji match between Andhra and Tripura from tomorrow