The inaugural ceremony and the first match of the 2017 Indian Premier League will be held at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium here on April 5, insists K. John Manoj, HCA Secretary.
Refuting speculation about the likelihood of the two being moved out of Hyderabad in view of the on-going strike of the Uppal Stadium maintenance staff and the severe financial crisis the HCA is facing, Mr. John Manoj reminded that the BCCI has been in touch with him on a daily basis about the preparations.
“They are aware of the ground staff strike and also working out a way to clear their salaries. The big problem is that since spending of revenue amount raised through hosting the Test match is subjudice, we are waiting for a final order from the Court. The ₹ 1.4 crore advertisement revenue raised during the Bangladesh Test last month here is locked in the bank because of this,” the HCA official pointed out.
Every aspect with regard to conduct of the IPL is being taken care of. There is a tripartite agreement among the BCCI, the State Associations and the IPL franchisees. “We were told by the BCCI that they would be able to release the money later and in the meanwhile the franchisee (in this case Sunrisers Hyderabad) will pay ₹ 30 lakh each for the home games (totalling about ₹ 2.10 crore) for letting out the venue,” he explained.
“And, let me tell you that for the first time at least 60% of the IPL related works are over well in advance than was the case in earlier editions. We had another round of discussion with the ground staff and impressed upon them on the need for being involved in the IPL preparations. Apparently, summoning outsiders’ services is the last thing we do,” the HCA Secretary said.
Mr. Manoj is optimistic of sorting out everything in the next couple of days including the ground staff strike as in-charge president Narender Goud was working towards an amicable solution.
Meanwhile, an official involved in the preparations of the SRH also refuted the idea of shifting the inaugural and the first match.
“We have already finished the branding of the venue. The only work related to IPL is the maintenance of the playing area and the pitch. Even that we are told will take a week’s time to put the venue in perfect condition,” he says.
