New Hyderabad stadium won’t mean the end for Uppal, clarifies HCA secretary

T. Shesh Narayan (spokesperson), M. Jeevan Reddy (secretary), and Imtiaz Khan (CEO) revealed a list of new initiatives being undertaken by the Hyderabad Cricket Association at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Uppal on Wednesday. | Photo Credit: Anirudh Velamuri

After years of accusations that the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) has been ignoring cricket in rural areas, it is now pushing ahead with an ambitious plan to revamp the cricketing structure in the State. Mahabubnagar and Karimnagar are set to be the first to see these winds of change, with both set to get functioning academies by summer.

“Karimnagar and Mahabubnagar will get floodlights soon. Apart from that, we are also focusing on Khammam and Warangal. Once land is acquired everywhere, by December hopefully, and handed over to HCA, we will take up the works,” HCA secretary M. Jeevan Reddy said at a press conference here on Wednesday.

The association, however, will continue to rely on private grounds in Hyderabad owing to the expensive land costs in the city.

HCA is also looking to expand its administrative footprint to cover all districts of Telangana. Plans are being drawn to bring them all under its umbrella and then decentralise the operations across the State.

Former secretary T. Shesh Narayan, who now heads the District Infrastructure Development Committee, stated that tenders will soon be called for investing in the infrastructure of Karimnagar and Mahabubnagar. He said that the focus will not be solely on developing cricketers.

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“We need to explore all talent in the districts, not just the players but also umpires, physios, trainers and more. Once they are identified, they can be trained in Hyderabad and then get full-time jobs,” Shesh Narayan, who also serves as the HCA spokesperson, explained.

Uppal stadium set for major overhaul

Jeevan also disclosed that renovation of the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium was discussed at the recent BCCI AGM. Improvement of the drainage system and the outfield, as well as its external appearance, were among the key points discussed.

“The stadium has been operational for more than two decades now. So we are looking at improving all aspects of it. If there is a chance to improve the capacity, we would like to do that. In some areas, the seating is not that comfortable. There is also fencing all around, which blocks fans’ view of the ground. Parking is also a big issue, so we would like to have a multi-storied parking area. We are exploring the option of having a dedicated walkway from the metro to the stadium,” Jeevan said.

Jeevan clarified that the proposed new stadium at Future City would not come at Uppal’s expense. “This stadium has got its history. We would like to improve and retain it. Even if we build a new stadium, this stadium will be operational.”

He also added that HCA elections are expected to take place around November and tickets for the India vs. West Indies T20 match (October 14) should go on sale by October 6.