Cuttack: President of Odisha Cricket Association (OCA), Pankaj Lochan Mohanty today revealed his plan to promote grassroots cricket and development of the iconic Barabati Stadium at Cuttack.
Speaking to Media after taking charge as the new OCA President, Shri Mohanty said that he would work to ground the OCA’s proposal to set up a Cricket Academy in Puri. He will hold discussion with the State Government and concern stakeholders to execute the proposal.
The proposed Cricket Academy will provide training to players 365 days a year, he said, while expressing his optimism that, “If children receive training at our own academy, we can produce skilled players within the next two to three years.”
Shri Mohanty said that the renovation of Barabati Stadium in Cuttack was proposed by the previous government. “The BCCI is ready for the Barabati stadium development. We hope that the new government will cooperate in this process. We have held discussions with the Chief Minister, Sports Minister and Secretary Sports on the work to be taken up in the next 7-8 months,” the new OCA Chief said.
He informed that Odisha Cricket Association replied to the show cause notice issued by the State Government over the floodlight malfunction during the India-England ODI at Barabati Stadium on February 9, saying the OCA will take steps to stop repetition of such an incident.
The second ODI between the two countries was disrupted for around 30 minutes as floodlights in one of the towers were not functioning.
After the incident, the State Government on February 10 issued a show cause notice to the OCA seeking a reply within 10 days.
Shri Mohanty said, “We have submitted our reply to the State Government. To ensure that such an incident does not happen again during such important matches, we have decided to deploy two generator sets to supply power to each floodlight.”
He said that after that ODI, another important match was held till 1.30 am and there was no disturbance. “The BCCI has not sought any report in this matter,” the new OCA Chief said.