ICC PRESIDENT GIVES ANOTHER CHANCE TO EASTERN INDIA TO HOST CRICKET WORLD CUP MATCHES
By ANIMonday, January 31, 2011
NATURAL WITH ENGLISH SPEECH
DURATION: 1.44
SOURCE: ANI
TV AND WEB RESTRICTIONS: NO ACCESS BBC
ICC President gives another chance to eastern India to host cricket World Cup matches.
Bringing cheer among sports fans, Sharad Pawar, President of the International Cricket Council (ICC), says the body might allow three World Cup matches to take place in the Eden Gardens stadium in India’s eastern Kolkata if the provincial authorities fulfill requirements.
SHOWS:
NEW DELHI, INDIA (JANUARY 30, 2011) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC)
1. SHARAD PAWAR, PRESIDENT OF INTERNATIONAL CRICKET COUNCIL (ICC), DEBOARDING HIS CAR
2. OFFICIALS PRESENTING BOUQUET TO PAWAR
3. PAWAR WALKING
4. PAWAR ENTERING AN ELEVATOR
5. PAWAR WALKING
6. PAWAR STANDING NEAR HIS CAR
7. (SOUNDBITE) (English) SHARAD PAWAR, PRESIDENT OF INTERNATIONAL CRICKET COUNCIL (ICC), SAYING: “If the requirement will be fulfilled, then ICC team will again visit, and if they are satisfied, ICC will take decision to allow three World Cup matches in Eden Garden. But that will be after 27th in month of March…It is a prestigious ground of India, we are fully aware.”
KOLKATA, WEST BENGAL, INDIA (JANUARY 30, 2011) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC)
8. (SOUNDBITE) (English) JAGMOHAN DALMIYA, PRESIDENT, CRICKET ASSOCIATION OF BENGAL, SAYING: “That match has been taken away. I ask why the match is taken away, what is our fault? How we can correct ourselves? What are your expectations? We have got no reply.”
9. DALMIYA SITTING
STORY: Sharad Pawar, President of the International Cricket Council (ICC), on Sunday (January 30) gave yet another chance to the authorities in India’s eastern West Bengal state to host matches of the upcoming World Cup at the landmark Eden Gardens stadium in capital Kolkata.
Boosting hopes of sports enthusiasts in West Bengal, Pawar hinted in New Delhi that the ICC could allow three matches to be held at Eden Gardens if the ongoing construction and renovation work was completed as per the game’s governing world body’s criteria.
Recently, ICC had, in consultation with the Indian cricket board, decided to shift the 2011 World Cup match between India and England from the Eden Gardens, citing delay in renovation and construction work.
The decision caused intense disappointment among the cricket-crazy fans of Kolkata, where an estimated 80,000 spectators are expected to pack the Eden Gardens, one of the most renowned stadiums in India.
Pawar’s statement came soon after sports lovers across the country appealed to the ICC to reconsider its decision.
“If the requirement will be fulfilled, then ICC team will again visit, and if they are satisfied, ICC will take decision to allow three World Cup matches in Eden Garden. But that will be after 27th in month of March…It is a prestigious ground of India, we are fully aware,” said Pawar.
Meanwhile, Jagmohan Dalmiya, president of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), slammed the ICC and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for their controversial decision.
Briefing reporters in eastern Kolkata city, Dalmiya revealed that the body had not received any report from the ICC pointing the exact nature of the shortcomings found in the venue due to which the India-England match had to be shifted from Eden Gardens.
“That match has been taken away. I ask why the match is taken away, what is our fault? How we can correct ourselves? What are your expectations? We have got no reply,” said Dalmiya.
Preparations for the cricket extravaganza have remained in doldrums at the Eden Gardens, where workers are racing against time to finish the pending construction and renovation tasks.
Apart from India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will be hosting the World Cup and all the three countries are looking forward to provide world-class facilities to the fans coming from all over the world to watch the one-day thrillers.
The tournament commencing on February 19 will attract huge crowds and worldwide television audiences drawn by the best international players competing in 49 matches.
