Deserted tract turned into hi-tech cricket stadium
Anirudh Gupta
Ferozepur, January 17
What used to be a desertedstretch of land in the precincts of Government Polytechnic College on the outskirts of this border town is now a lush green hi-tech cricket stadium.
The credit goes to local cricket enthusiasts who got together and, under the guidance of social worker Rishi Sharma, transformed this tract of land with funds provided by MLA Parminder Singh Pinki.
Not only the ground has been beautifully landscaped and developed, the adjoining old hostel building, which was in a dilapidated condition, has also been renovated for accommodating outstation players. “The condition of the hostel building was so bad that it was on the verge of collapse,” said Rishi, adding that the building had probably never been inhabited since the time it was constructed. There were no doors, electricity, sanitation facilities and even the plaster on walls had come out. The area had become a safe haven for bootleggers and drug addicts but now it has an aesthetically done-up dressing room with dining mess and other modern facilities.
Adding to the lustre, Yuvraj Singh’s statue has been put up at this newly set-up stadium. Set up under the patronage of MLA and cricket connoisseurs like BK Mehta, the stadium is said to be a “prototype” of how a sports stadium with modern gears can be erected without too much burden to the state exchequer.
As per information, a sum of Rs25 lakh was spent for the overhaul of the field. The pitches have been studded with high voltage lights to enable players to practice even during night. A bowling machine has also been arranged for practice. Big graffitis of renowned Indian cricketers have been made on walls.
MLA Pinki said what has been done in Rs 25 Lakh would not have been done even in about Rs 75 lakh had the local residents not put in their efforts.
