Cuttack: Uncertainty looms large over the fate of the upcoming India-West Indies One Day International (ODI) cricket match scheduled to be played at Barabati stadium in Cuttack on December 22.
At present the stadium is not ready to host the match as bulk of the infrastructure was damaged in the cyclonic storm Fani which hit the State on May 3.
As the Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) was defunct since long, we do not have funds to undertake repairs, said newly-elected OCA secretary, Sanjay Behera after general body meeting today.
“Barabati was always ready to host international matches. But cyclone Fani caused massive damage to the stadium. At present, we do not have adequate funds to repair the stadium,” said Behera.
Behera further informed that OCA will hold talks with BCCI for funds so that repair works are taken up on war footing.
It is pertinent to mention that apart from several galleries, the floodlights of the stadium have been badly damaged. OCA officials informed that preliminary discussions were held with legendary cricketer Kapil Dev’s company Dev Musco for the repairs. The company has assured to complete the repair works within a month.
“We want people of Odisha to witness the match at Barabati. We will hold discussions with BCCI officials for the release of funds. I will also urge Odisha government to support OCA in ensuring that the match is held here. Only after talks with BCCI, I would be in a position to comment further on the status of the match,” Behera added.