Indian Express 03.05.2010
Allow locals to use ground, politicians tell BCA
Express News Service Tags : corporation, Bhutdi Jhampa ground Posted: Monday , May 03, 2010 at 0242 hrs
Vadodara: At a ceremony organised by the Vadodara police and the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) on Sunday to develop the Bhutdi Jhampa ground, politicians made it clear that the Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) will have to ensure they will only develop the ground while the government will own it.
It was also made clear that the BCA will have to allow local boys to play cricket and other games. At present, the Vadodara police are caretakers of the ground. The police have signed an agreement with the BCA to develop the ground.
Parliamentary Secretary and MLA Yogesh Patel, Jitendra Sukhadia, and Mayor Balkrishna Shukla were present at the ceremony along with Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana.
First, it was Jitendra Sukhadia who lambasted the BCA. “Those at the BCA must realise that it (the ground) is not their fiefdom and the game of cricket is for everyone. While they are developing this ground, they must realise that it is not under their ownership. If BCA would try to cordon the ground, the local boys will break all barriers and play cricket, which is their right.”
Sukhadia’s remarks were followed by curt remarks by Yogesh Patel. He said: “This ground belongs to the players and all the boys should be allowed to play. The BCA had barred M S University officials to use the ground for the international conference on Buddhism. Such incidents should not happen again.”
Balkrishna Shukla also spoke in the same vein. “Those from a rich background don’t need such public grounds to play cricket, but it is for those who don’t have the leisure and money for sports. BCA has been promoting cricket so they must understand these issues and keep the ground open for all.” BCA vice-president Sanjay Patel tried to defend the body, but he was reportedly asked not to argue. “He should understand that once the parliamentary secretary delivers the speech, one should not try to put counter arguments to that,” said a local BJP member refusing to be named.
