Two days after Ranchi witnessed the cricket extravaganza, Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) president Amitabh Choudhary was a proud man, having hosting the glitch-free two IPl matches, first time in the State.
"Forget the razzmatazz that the IPl matches and earlier the ODI brought, the mega cricket event generated business worth crores in the service sector, particularly in hotel and transportation. The cricket has virtually added new dimension to the economy of Jharkhand, which is otherwise at a standstill," Choudhary, who has padded up to fight the lok Sabha elections from Ranchi after quitting the IPS, told The Pioneer.
"Not only the plush hotels, but also the smaller ones and even 'khomchawallas' earned a fast buck during the past three-four days. And one very well knows that one economic activity will push new economic activity in a State," he said.
"I will give just one example of how the economic activities are at a standstill in the State, known for rich minerals and other natural resources. The final stages of the Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament, the domestic Twenty20 competition, were shifted from Ranchi to Indore in March last just because there was no adequate number of flights operating from the State capital," Choudhary, a top-notch sports administrator, said.
"We have collected data of flights operating from various States, particularly smaller ones and found that as many as 17 flights operate from Agartala, while 26 flights take off from Raipur. On the other hand, only eight flights do their business in Ranchi. The pathetic state of air link from Ranchi explains that the economic activities do not present a rosy picture in the State," he said.
Choudhary is also planning about his future engagements after quitting Government service. "I have heard that my application for voluntary retirement has been accepted. I will be a free bird once I am relieved, possibly on May 31. Then, I will speak what I really believe," Choudhary, who has been posted as special secretary in the Home Department, said.
"We have prepared the ground. Now, it is for the Government how it takes it forward," he said. looking back, the JSCA president said that he could gift the world class stadium to the State in the shortest possible time.”
"The construction work was rushed after Keenan stadium in Jamshedpur was not made available for holding the international cricket matches in 2006. The refusal threw up a big challenge for us and we are now happy that we could accomplish the task in a record time and bring Ranchi on the world map," he added.
The JSCA chief had also his thumbs up for State spectators. "They presented a model picture of Jharkhand, known for negatives only, both during the first one day international on January 19 followed by two IPl matches on May 12 and May 15.
They were jovial and happy during matches. There was no hooliganism even after they came out of the stadium," he added.
Choudhary said that Government machinery could also demonstrate that it was capable of holding a mega sports event which attracted a huge crowd. "We should be thankful to the Governor also who graced the occasion at both the matches," he added.
Choudhary, who is on the IPl's governing council, also lashed out at the three players-S Sreesanth, Ankit Chavan and Ajit Chandila--booked for spot fixing.
"It is shameful. Just three out of 200 players have brought shame to the IPl tournament. I want exemplary and quick punishment for the guilty not only legally, but also cricket based. They should be banned for life so that no question arises on allowing them to play the gentleman's game again and a deterrent for others to repeat the shameful act," Choudhary, a former Team India manager, said.
"I do not understand why they should indulge in such nefarious acts when they are already earning so much," the JSCA chief said.