Finally, Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium was officially handed over to Chhattisgarh State Cricket Sangh (CSCS) for organising the upcoming IPl matches in a function followed by a press conference in the international cricket stadium on Monday.
Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh handed over the key to the President of CSCS Baldev Singh Bhatia amid flashing lights of cameras and round about applauds from guests in presence of Chief Secretary Sunil Kumar besides Youth and Sports Minister lata Usendi and other key personalities.
Replying queries of reporters Dr Raman Singh said that cricket and politics have few similarities. “In 20-20 game one has to be alert like in politics, if you miss one catch then you can lose a match and there are chances of hat-trick. I was told that there are chances of hat-trick,” Dr Raman Singh stressed.
Answering a question that mega sport event like IPl is being organised for the first time in Raipur and how prepared are the authorities to handle security and public movement, the Chief Minister said senior administrative officials and police officials have visited the IPl matches held at other places and studied in detail the pre-match
condition, how to control people during matches, how the parking and vehicle would be managed and how to control the movement of people after the match.
Replying the query that IPl is a money making event in this case how much revenue these matches will generate for the state, the Chief Minister said that this is first IPl match for the state which will open the door for unlimited possibilities, now we have called people to show them stadium but in future people would request us for coming to Chhattisgarh that will generate revenue.
The Chief Minister praised the Public Works Department and other officers who worked round the clock for constructing the stadium in stipulated time.
The Chief Minister was of view that Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium could be compared with any cricket stadium of the world.
The successful conduct of IPl match will pave the way for One Day International cricket matches, Ranji Trophy and similar events here, he said.The stadium is ready for matches.
The seats have been installed, corporate box, media box are also ready with few touch-up works in their last leg.