Confusion over stadia charges

Deepankar Sharda
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, April 22

The Tricity Premier Cricket League, organised by Chandigarh Police in association with a private bank, has run into  confusion as the UT Sports Department has provided the grounds free of cost, despite involvement of a sponsor. 

The 24-team championship has an equal number of participants from corporate sector and the government sector. The organisers of the tournament have charged Rs 15,000 as "kit fee" from each of the 24 participating teams. “All the players were given kits by us and the amount was charged for the same reason. Every team has 15 members and we have provided them with the best kits. The tournament is being played under a motive ‘say no to drugs’,” said the organising committee member.  

However, the fees for the government sector teams participating in the championship were allegedly paid by the aforementioned private bank. Besides this, the bank also sponsored food and trophies. Despite corporate teams being involved in the tournament, the Sports Department has provided the grounds for the championship at nominal rates.

In an order dated April 3, the UT Sports Department allowed Director General of Police, Chandigarh, to use the Sector 16 stadium on April 5, April 13, April 20, April 27 and April 28, and the Sector 26 ground on April 6, April 7, April13, April14, April17, April19, April 20 and April 21 at a daily maintenance cost of Rs 825. For two days the department permitted the use of floodlights at a cost of Rs 3,789 per hour.

As per the booking rules, the rates are as following: Rs 5,000 per day for associations/ federations sports organisations/government organisations/universities (other than recognised) affiliated to other states; Rs 15,000 for non-telecast matches for commercial groups/institutions/companies/banks/corporates/boards; Rs 10,000 for sponsor-based memorial tournaments of sports associations/ federations/sports organisations/ government organisations/universities; free of cost for BCCI and also free of cost to Chandigarh Sports Council, UT Education Department, Chandigarh Special Olympics, blind and disabled associations for conducting  championships and trials (affiliated). Dr Mahender Singh, Joint Director (Sports), said that the grounds had been given "as per the rules”. However, sources claimed that no check was made to assess the nature of the meet. “The department received the request from the office of the DGP Chandigarh and considering that, all permissions were granted. The department is unaware about any amount being charged or any sponsors of the tournament,” said a source in the clerical department. The Chandigarh Police denied any responsibility. “We have requested them to provide us the grounds. Whatever they asked for, it was submitted. That is the reason we got the permission,” said a PRO of Chandigarh Police.