ICC criticised Motera Stadium facilities during World Cup: Narhari Amin

Former Gujarat Cricket Association president Narhari Amin on Thursday alleged that the ICC had severely criticised facilities at the Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera during the three World Cup matches early this year.

A general view of the Sardar Patel Stadium in Motera, Ahmedabad © Getty Images

Ahmedabad: Aug 4, 2011

Former Gujarat Cricket Association president Narhari Amin on Thursday alleged that the ICC had severely criticised facilities at the Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera during the three World Cup matches early this year.

“We have accessed the report of ICC which was given to BCCI, which says ‘the standard of facilities in majority of stadiums (especially in India) was of variable quality ranging from being world class in Chennai to totally unsatisfactory in Ahmedabad’,” Amin told reporters here.

Amin, former deputy chief minister of Gujarat and a Congress leader, lost GCA elections two years ago. Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi had taken over as president of GCA following his victory in the elections.

“The ICC had given Rs 1.86 crore in advance to GCA for good facilities during three World Cup matches held in the city. However, the report is a slap on the face of Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi by ICC,” Amin said while giving photocopies of some pages of the ICC report to the media here.

“This report will bring discredit to Motera as a good cricketing venue and in future ICC and BCCI might not consider giving international matches to the venue,” Amin alleged.

“I would like to request the chief minister (Modi) that if does not have time, he should step down from the post and give it to someone who can run it,” Amin said.

Quoting the report, Amin said, “The venue was very dirty. Every match they (GCA) had to be told to have a clean venue. The hospitality area and general seating were filthy.”

“The hospitality boxes and area around it were of a very poor standard. The ceiling were damaged; floors were covered with paints,” Amin said, quoting from the report.

“In time of the quarterfinal, the hospitality area was dressed up and of an acceptable standard. However, the GCA did not adequately manage its hospitality area which was overcrowded and without food and ICC needed to secure its designated area to prevent people from trying to enter from the adjacent hospitality area. The hospitality boxes and area around it were of a very poor standard. The ceiling were damaged; floors were covered with paints,” Amin said, quoting from the report.

“In time of the quarterfinal, the hospitality area was dressed up and of an acceptable standard. However, the GCA did not adequately manage its hospitality area which was overcrowded and without food and ICC needed to secure its designated area to prevent people from trying to enter from the adjacent hospitality area,” according to the report.

“A total of five commentary boxes were used, all were dirty and in a state of disrepair. The provision of basic furnishing was also an issue as boxes lacked tables and chairs,” Amin said as per the report.

Regarding media facilities, quoting from the ICC report, Amin said, “The press box was not well presented but improved. There were insufficient TV monitors but enough desk seats. The internet was inconsistent and access via a single, small and non-exclusive lift was not good.”

© PTI