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KCA decides to hold India-WI ODI in Thiruvananthapuram

KCA yields to Kerala Sports Minister's request and decides to conduct the ODI between India and West Indies in Thiruvananthapuram instead of Kochi

The Greenfeld stadium will hold the ODI between India and the West Indies

Bengaluru, March 22: The Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) on Thursday (March 22) decided in principle to conduct the one-dayer between India and the West Indies in Thiruvananthpuram, ending the dispute over conducting the match at the Jawaharlal Nehru International stadium, Kaloor, Kochi, for the time being.

Several cricketers - past and present - political leaders, social workers and literary figures had openly criticised KCA's move to hold the match in Kochi holding that the preparation of a cricket pitch will damage the football turf, upgraded to the FIFA standards for the U17 World Cup last year.

They said digging up the turf will also adversely affect the ISL home fixtures of Kerala Blasters FC in November.

The KCA had said on Wednesday (March 22) that it would take the opinion of the Kerala Government before making a decision. In that light, the KCA officials led by secretary Jayesh George held discussions with Kerala Sports Minister AC Moideen on Thursday and accepted his suggestion to conduct the match at Sports Hub, Thiruvananthapuram.

"We have in principle agreed to the minister's suggestion to hold the match in Thiruvananthapuram and a final decision will be taken during the AGM of KCA on Saturday. The minister requested us to avoid controversies," said George.

During the meeting, the KCA representatives also requested the minister to help them find land in Kochi to construct its own cricket stadium to avoid such situations in future. However, George made it clear that cricket matches will be conducted in Kaloor stadium in future.

George also did not spare Tendulkar, who supported the #SaveKochiTurf campaign and asked the KCA to conduct the match at Thiruvananthapuram.

"Sachin Tendulkar is now the co-owner of Kerala Blasters, so that could be the reason behind him making such a suggestion. There were no such reactions from anyone when we handed over the stadium to prepare football turf during the U17 World Cup. Anyway, we would not have dug up the entire stadium to prepare a pitch," said George.

Story first published: Thursday, March 22, 2018, 13:31 [IST]
Other articles published on Mar 22, 2018