Panjab University to get cricket stadium this winter

Deepankar Sharda

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Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 7

Coming winters the campus of Panjab University is all set to have a cricket stadium. The newly constructed stadium, having five centre pitches, three turfs, one cemented and one mat net area, is expected to start functioning in November. Currently, the practice area (one cemented and one-mat) is opened for the players while keeping in mind the upcoming inter- college cricket championship. The ground which was usually known as ‘Dushera’ ground was purposed to convert into a cricket stadium in 2013. However, the work for the same started with a delay and after almost a year the ground finally emerged as the first stadium dedicated to cricket. Earlier, the Panjab University campus used to host cricket matches at the main sports’ ground while on certain occasions the same ground was used to host North Zone Football Championship and other athletics activities.

Ahead of inter-college cricket championships, for men and women, the organisers are also looking forward to complete the grounds’ work soon. “We are trying to complete the work so that we can host the inter-college championships. A lot depends upon weather conditions, as the work in past was delayed due to heavy showers last month. The pitches are almost on the verge of completion however the ground leveling work is yet to be started. Water sprinklers were installed and regular look after is being conducted to make it a perfect place for the cricketers,” said an engineer of the PU engineering department. While revealing the gradation steps, the source revealed that the stadium would also have changing rooms with all facilities. “We have been working on the drawings of changing rooms and asked for the specifications from the authorities concerned.”

Meanwhile, Navdeep Goyal, Dean, Students Welfare, said, “We are trying to complete the work near Diwali and also planning to delay the inter-college cricket championship till that time. The ground is well equipped to host inter-college cricket championship this year. And from next year, we would be bidding to host North Zone or All India Inter-University Cricket Championship. The ground, besides hosting championships, would also felicitate the players of tricity as a training hub. The work to come up with dressing rooms would take time as it has to pass through a proper procedure, approval of building committee and estimates. We are working on that aspect as well.”

“The ground is a boon for local cricket players. The ground is almost ready and will host many important championships,” said Girish Bhanot, cricket coach, PU campus.