Once world-class, F’bad cricket stadium out of action for 10 yrs

Bijendra Ahlawat

Tribune News Service

Faridabad, January 5

Once Haryana’s pride, Nahar Singh International Cricket Stadium here has been rendered “useless” for the past 10 years.

The stadium has failed to host any match since 2006 and is reportedly finding it difficult to get adequate funds even for its upkeep.

Built in 1981 at a cost of nearly Rs 5 crore, the stadium has hosted as many as eight one-day internationals and more than 50 Ranji and Deodhar-level matches. The first international match played on this stadium was between India and West Indies on January 19, 1988; the last such match was between India and England on March 31, 2006.

Ruing the politics off the field, former cricketer Sarkar Talwar says it has only affected the life and spirit of the game for which the stadium and the city is known. Talwar, who himself played 109 Ranji matches, feels that the importance of the stadium and the infrastructure it provided could be gauged from the fact that the district produced at least two international-level players, 12 under-19 and more than 30 Ranji players. Mohit Sharma, Rahul Tewatia and Rahul Dalal from the district are still making waves in both the domestic and T-20 cricket circuit.

“It is very unfortunate that the only international cricket stadium, which put Faridabad and Haryana on a global map, is now rendered as sheer waste just because of petty politics and inability of the respective governments to make it functional,’’ says Sanjay Bhatia, a former Ranji player.

Admitting that the stadium has been lying unused for past several years, Rajkumar, Senior Coach (cricket) of the Sports Department, says it is unfortunate that no state or national-level match has been held for the past 10 years. He, however, claims that a cricket nursery is still operational with the responsibility of maintaining the stadium lying with the department.

With the capacity of 25,000 viewers, it has six match-ready pitches, three practice pitches, a modern pavilion with a suite having 200 seats. It also has commentator media, press and president boxes, umpire room, health club, restaurant, billiards room, card room and a coffee shop.

Vijay Yadav, President of the District Cricket Association affiliated to Haryana Cricket Association (HCA) believes that the stadium could not be used due to wrangling involving certain lobbies and it is perhaps due to similar issues that made the HCA to turn to other places. Yadav played 19 internationals and one Test from 1992 to 1994.

“On request of certain former players, Vipul Goel and Seema Trikha, MLA’s from Faridabad and Badkhal, respectively, took up the matter with Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar for the revival of the stadium,’’ says an official. “The CM has assured that the state government has accepted in principle to renovate and revive the stadium,’ he adds.