KCA sprucing up Kochi stadium for IPL

With the IPL fever beginning to grip the city, the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) has started efforts to raise the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium to international standards.

According to KCA officials, the work on the outfield and floodlights will be completed by March first week. “With the Kochi IPL team taking shape after the auction of players, now it is the turn of KCA to provide a perfect arena for the home matches of the team. KCA has already begun work at the stadium,” KCA secretary T C Mathew told ‘expresso’ on Monday.

He said the work to strengthen the existing grass on the outfield and manuring has already begun. “Certain portions of the outfield were lying barren. We will lay fresh grass on the outfield. The work is being carried out by Transasia,” he said.

With most of the IPL matches being scheduled as day/night matches, the installation of floodlights is of topmost priority. The outfield should neither be slow nor rough and the drainage system should be upgraded.

Mathew said the most modern equipment for drainage and floodlights would be imported from Malaysia. “The shipment containing the equipment is expected to reach Kochi by January 16,” he said. The total cost for the renovation of the stadium is estimated at around `6 crore.

The existing lighting system is not suitable for cricket matches. “The floodlights will be modernised. The drainage system of the ground will be revamped to international standards,” Mathew said. Each of the four light towers will have around 101 lamps. The lighting is being managed by Philips.

The Kaloor stadium is the designated venue for the home matches of the Kochi IPL team, which is yet to be named. Mathew said KCA wanted each IPL match played in the state to be an outstanding experience for the spectators. “We are putting all our efforts to upgrade the stadium,” he said.

Meanwhile, the representatives of the International Management Group in charge of the conduct of the IPL, visited the stadium and expressed satisfaction over the efforts being made to get the ground in proper shape, KCA officials said.


source: expressbuzz.com