Published: Oct 20, 2013, 09:08 PM (IST)
Edited: Oct 20, 2013, 09:08 PM (IST)
HPCA has proposed to hold training camps for the Indian team in the Dharamsala stadium © Getty Images
Dharamsala: Oct 20, 2013
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is planning to open five regional cricket academies in India, Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) President Anurag Thakur said on Sunday. He said that HPCA has urged the BCCI to set up an academy for North Zone in Dharamsala.
Thakur, who is also the BCCI joint-secretary, exuded confidence that the Indian board shall grant permission to Dharamsala as it fulfills all requirements.
Talking to reporters in Dharamsala, Thakur said: “Harbhajan Singh and Yuvraj Singh have already expressed to open their academies in Himachal and we have also requested the BCCI to set up one of the five proposed regional cricket academies at Dharamsala.”
Thakur also said that HPCA has proposed to hold training camps for the Indian team in the Dharamsala stadium and hoped that the BCCI will grant the permission soon.
Referring to the present tug-of-war between the state government and HPCA over the so called irregularities regarding the land and registration issue, Thakur said: “I have done everything according to law and so I’m not afraid of anything.”
When asked if Indian Premium League (IPL) matches will be allowed at the Dharamsala cricket stadium in the future, the BJP MP said political leaders can’t decide whether there should be a match or not.
He also refuted the charges against HPCA of encroaching over 720 square meter government land and demolishing a building.
“During the congress governments’ previous turn too, we successfully hosted international matches in Dharamsala. We are not afraid of anyone and will host matches, as we have done earlier,” said Thakur.
