‘Kolkata can be ready for World Cup’

Cab chiefs promised they would hand over Eden Gardens to ICC on February 7, “provided we are given an extension.”

NEW DEHLI: The bosses of Kolkata’s Eden Gardens insisted they could be ready to host next month’s India-England World Cup clash after the venue was ruled out because of unfinished renovation work.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) sparked a logistical nightmare for organisers on Thursday by asking for an alternative stadium for the February 27 match because of concerns about unfinished facilities at the famous ground.

The Cricket Association of Bengal (Cab), which runs the stadium, asked the ICC to reconsider its controversial ruling, which raised further questions about India’s ability to host major sporting events. Cab Chief Jagmohan Dalmiya, a former ICC president, wrote to the Indian cricket board to convince the governing body to stick to the original schedule.

“The ICC’s decision comes as a shock because when their inspection team was in Kolkata, we were given to understand that they were happy with the progress of the work and had suggested only a few minor modifications,” said the letter.

Cab chiefs promised they would hand over a completed Eden Gardens to the ICC on February 7, “provided we are given an extension.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 29^th, 2011.