BCCI to have own stadium for 2011 Cup

The Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) recently announced setting up of its first completely owned stadium at New Delhi for the 2011 World Cup Final Clash.

BCCI Secretary Niranjan Shah said: "The estimated construction cost of this entire stadium is between Rs 300-400 crore. The final stage procedural negotiations are in progress with the Delhi Development Authority."

The board is in the process of acquiring 35 acres of land in New Delhi for this purpose. This stadium will have the state of art entertainment and accommodations facilities including a five-star club too.

The core objective of constructing this stadium will be by and large based on providing comfort and security to the spectators who would gather here to witness the excitement of the final cricket bash of World Cup 2011 scheduled in India, explained Shah.

However, this stadium will not by and large affect the existing dominance of the Firoz Shah Kotla Maidan at New Delhi, as other games will also be played here, added Shah.

Even the BCCI president Sharad Pawar is of an opinion of upgrading existing cricket stadiums across the country and the board has taken significant decision in this direction too, he said.

"We have selected stadiums all across the country where test cricket matches are played and have sanctioned subsidy amounting to Rs 25 crore for upgrading the existing facilities there. We are focussing on providing spectator friendly ambiance even here," explained Shah.

In addition to this, additional funds of Rs 4 crore have been sanctioned for the cricket associations across the country with an objective of eveloping and establishing cricket training academy, added Shah.