Kejriwal’s world-class stadium promise for Amritsar remains on paper
AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal, in his address in the city on May 27, 2024, had announced a plan to set up a world-class cricket stadium here.
Around a year and a half after the announcement, it remains unmet, with Kejriwal joining a long list of political leaders who had announced boosts to cricket in the region, but failed to deliver so far.
For the last decade, local politicians have been promising upgrades to the infrastructure of Gandhi Ground — the only cricket ground in the city — to enable it to host at least IPL matches, if not international ones.
However, all these promises have, so far, turned out to be mere lip-service.
Gandhi Ground has hosted several international tournaments in the past, but the failure of the authorities concerned to ensure timely upgrades has rendered it unsuitable for hosting even first-class cricket matches.
The city has produced legendary international cricketers — such as Mohinder Amarnath, Bishen Singh Bedi and Madan Lal.
Recently, medium pacer Harvinder Singh, and Abhishek Sharma have made the city proud.
IS Bajwa, a veteran player, said the ruling government should fulfil its promise of providing a cricket ground to the city — which, he noted, had produced several prominent players. The city of the Golden Temple is an ideal location to host international cricket matches as it is situated next to Lahore — a most populated city of Pakistan’s Punjab province.
In addition, it has impressive road connectivity; and boasts an international airport which has direct flights to Europe, West Asia, South East Asia and other regions.
The last international match played in the city was between India and New Zealand in 1995.
The stadium has hosted several international matches, including those against West Indies, Australia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and England.
The Indian cricket team played against Sri Lanka in 1983. The North Zone cricket team played against the West Indies in 1984. Established in 1932 with funds given by erstwhile Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala and the then Punjab Government, Gandhi Ground is spread across 22 acres. The first notable match played here was between the India XI and the MCC in 1933.
The Indian cricket team was led by Maharaja Bhupinder Singh, with famous players Lala Amarnath, Col CK Nayudu and Surjit Singh Majithia also part of the squad.
Ravneet Singh Ricky, an Amritsar-based former Ranji Trophy player, said promoting sports and developing quality cricket stadiums could play a very important role in encouraging young people to choose sports as a career.
When contacted, AAP spokesperson Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal said the government would definitely set up an international cricket stadium in the holy city.
He added that the state government was setting up grounds in rural areas, and holding annual Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan events to promote sports.
