cricket stadium a shambles

The NIT-C cricket stadium at Chathamangalam has a rich cricket legacy to boast of as it has hosted the premier matches of Ranji Trophy, Vijay Merchant Trophy and Cooch Behar Trophy.

In 1999-2000, during Kerala’s Ranji Trophy match against Hyderabad, the ground saw classic innings of former Indian skipper Mohammed Azharuddin. When Azharuddin got out for 91 at 37.3 overs (147/3), in the one-day match, the enthralled crowd invaded the pitch. Around 19 minutes were lost subsequently until police were called to disperse the spectators.

But, those were the good old days. Right now, the ground, which once found a place on the national cricket map, resembles a small forest covered with bushes and is a haven for stray dogs and reptiles. The four turf strip on the ground and the nets are in a dilapidated condition, owing to lack of maintenance. Besides this, the players’ dressing room, the umpire’s room and other facilities set up by the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) at a cost of `25 lakh, also remain in a pitiable condition. This stadium, one of the best in Kozhikode with all amenities and which can stage major matches, has been lying idle since July 2012.

It was in 1992 that NITC laid the first turf wicket on the cricket stadium and inaugurated it with a nationallevel Ranji Trophy match, Kerala vs- Karnataka. Lack of good dressing rooms for players fails to attract matches to the ground.

In the golden jubilee year of NITC in 2010, the KCA had set up an advanced players’ dressing room and umpires room. During a visit to the stadium, Sandip Patil, former cricketer and director of National Cricket Academy, had expressed satisfaction over the facilities, especially the availability of two parallel grounds.

But things took a dramatic turn after the factional feud in the Kozhikode District Cricket Association as the NIT authorities withdrew from their decision to provide the ground to the KCA in 2010-11. The Vijay Merchant Trophy under-16 tournament in 2011 was the last national tournament hosted by the ground.

Sources say that a few deans with the physical education department of NIT are in charge of the ground and they have no interest in maintaining it. Though the KCA is ready to maintain the ground and conduct matches, the lackadaisical approach of the deans has turned the situation worse.

KCA president T C Mathew says that they had discussed the matter with Union Minister of State for HRD, Shashi Tharoor. “We have taken the issue seriously and will try to bring back national and state tournaments to the NIT ground”, he says.