Dharamsala stadium boss Thakur confident of ICC nod

Dharamsala stadium boss Anurag Thakur confident of getting ICC recognition

Dharamsala stadium boss Thakur confident of ICC nod

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Bishan Singh Bedi is known for his pungent criticism on cricketing aspects. The other day, he told this correspondent that Twenty20 cricket is not worth commenting on.

A view of the stadium at Dharamsala. PIC/AFP

However, the former India captain (1975 to 1978) is more than effusive in praise when it comes the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association ground in Dharamsala. He reckons the venue is better than the Lord's Cricket Ground in London, considered by several pundits as the Mecca of cricket.

The picturesque venue hosted its first game of Indian Premier League IV on Sunday and will host two more games this season - today's Kings XI Punjab vs Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kings XI Punjab vs Deccan Chargers on Saturday.

Set at an altitude of nearly 5000 feet above sea level (4,750 to be precise), the snow-capped Dhauladhar ranges provide an ideal backdrop to the cricket just like the the Newlands ground in Cape Town, South Africa.

HPCA is dreaming big now, and anticipate international cricket action at the venue in the near future. And why not? "When we selected this spot to construct a cricket stadium, people thought we were crazy. It was a steep slope of about 70 feet and flood waters from the heavy rains here would seep down in full force. But we did it and today we have a magnificent 20,000-plus seater cricket complex replete with outdoor and indoor training facilities, a restaurant, players lounge areas, bucket seats for spectators, etc," HPCA president Anurag Thakur told MiD DAY.

Hurdles
The delay in hosting an international match stems from the fact that the venue doesn't live up to certain criterion set up by cricket's governing body, the International Cricket Council.

"There is only one airport where not more than a couple of commercial flights take off and land on a daily basis.
The region is hilly and traffic could be a problem. Besides, there is no five-star hotel in the city. However, we are working on all those fronts.

"We have broadened the approach roads, and have even begun work on our own five-star hotel wherein 72 rooms are already ready.

"The hotel will be ready in the next six months We are also in talks with the government to improve the airport facility," said Thakur, a BJP MP from Hamirpur area and also the son state chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal.

After the IPL, the cricket association will request the ICC to conduct an inspection of the venue and Thakur is confident the stadium will be awarded international status.

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