The PCA stadium at Mohali is one of the best in India, but cricket fans in Punjab are in for a treat as plans are on to create one more world class stadium in the state.
The Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) is all set to invite tenders and architects to develop another facility in Mullanpur, near Mohali.
"Yes, we are going to shortly start this process. We will invite architects who have the experience of constructing world-class stadiums and then shortlist them," PCA's Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier (retd) Gurdeep Singh Sandhu told reporters in Mohali on Sunday.
In February this year, PCA's Executive Committee met under the Chairmanship of its President I S Bindra and decided to build a modern Cricket stadium at Mullanpur, on the outskirts of Chandigarh.
"We have acquired 42 acres of free hold land at Mullanpur Development Scheme in the demarcated Sports and leisure area, approximately 2-3 kms from the outskirts of Chandigarh alongside the 450 feet wide proposed four way lane highway," Sandhu, who has also served as Chairman, Indian Army Sports Control Board , said.
Sandhu said that the Mullanpur stadium would have world class facilities.
"PCA has become an institution, with big reputation. On March 30, it hosted World Cup semi-finals, a mega event, between India and Pakistan at its Mohali stadium, which besides the Prime Ministers of the two nations was watched by a host of dignitaries around the globe. Therefore, keeping our growing reputation in mind, the Mullanpur stadium will be ultra modern and world class," said Sandhu, former manager of the Indian hockey team.
Sandhu, who joined PCA after retiring from the Army in 1996, said the construction of Mullanpur stadium would take atleast 4-5 years.
The Mohali stadium, built in 1992, is located in thick of a residential colony and lacks proper parking facilities. The new stadia is expected to have two grounds – for matches and practice – and also a state-of-the-art cricket academy which would help trainees from associate and affiliated members of the ICC under the programme of globlisation of cricket, Sandhu said.
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