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Bring IPL to the Eden: Ganguly
Sourav wants Eden Gardens to host IPL games, wants ticketing issues to be resolved soon
- Press Trust of India
- Updated: February 20, 2008 07:33 AM IST
Read Time:2 min
Kolkata:
"Eden Gardens is a world renowned stadium. It should always keep hosting test, ODIs and also games in the new Twenty20 format," Ganguly said on the sidelines of a function at the Southern part of the city.
"Eden Gardens is not just a decorative piece or a place for outing. All attempts should be made to have IPL matches at Eden Gardens," he said.
"The Kolkata team will have four players of Bengal senior side. Four other under-22 players of the state will also be in the squad. The league is a good opportunity for them to showcase the talent on a big stage," he said.
Ganguly was responding to queries about the uncertainty over the Kolkata team's participation in the IPL with CAB affiliate units resenting the drastic 80 per cent cut in their quota of tickets during IPL matches as compared to what is alloted to them during international matches at Eden Gardens.
The matter reached a flashpoint when CAB president Prasun Mukherjee raised the issue with IPL Chairman and Commissioner Lalit Modi and the latter responded that Kolkata could be axed from the participants' list as "we cannot and will not allow one city to derail the entire process".
CAB facing a tight situation has convened an emergent working committee meeting on Monday, which would likely to place the matter before the Special General Body meeting on February 26.
Ganguly suggested that to placate the members CAB should go to the extent of purchasing tickets for the affiliate members with the Rs 10 crore grant that CAB was suppose to get from IPL once the maiden edition of the league was over.
"CAB president has to sort that thing (ticket quota controversy) out and if necessary purchase tickets for the affiliate members. Members should also be ready to make some sacrifice," he added.
Sourav Ganguly on Sunday evening came out in the open for hosting matches of the BCCI promoted Indian Premier League at the Eden Gardens, saying IPL was a big opportunity for Bengal players to showcase talent at national level."Eden Gardens is a world renowned stadium. It should always keep hosting test, ODIs and also games in the new Twenty20 format," Ganguly said on the sidelines of a function at the Southern part of the city.
"Eden Gardens is not just a decorative piece or a place for outing. All attempts should be made to have IPL matches at Eden Gardens," he said.
"The Kolkata team will have four players of Bengal senior side. Four other under-22 players of the state will also be in the squad. The league is a good opportunity for them to showcase the talent on a big stage," he said.
Ganguly was responding to queries about the uncertainty over the Kolkata team's participation in the IPL with CAB affiliate units resenting the drastic 80 per cent cut in their quota of tickets during IPL matches as compared to what is alloted to them during international matches at Eden Gardens.
The matter reached a flashpoint when CAB president Prasun Mukherjee raised the issue with IPL Chairman and Commissioner Lalit Modi and the latter responded that Kolkata could be axed from the participants' list as "we cannot and will not allow one city to derail the entire process".
CAB facing a tight situation has convened an emergent working committee meeting on Monday, which would likely to place the matter before the Special General Body meeting on February 26.
Ganguly suggested that to placate the members CAB should go to the extent of purchasing tickets for the affiliate members with the Rs 10 crore grant that CAB was suppose to get from IPL once the maiden edition of the league was over.
"CAB president has to sort that thing (ticket quota controversy) out and if necessary purchase tickets for the affiliate members. Members should also be ready to make some sacrifice," he added.
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Cricket Sourav Ganguly
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