INDIA: CRICKET: Workers preparing Eden Gardens ahead of the Cricket World Cup are in a race against time to finish construction work

Record ID: 1380240

  • Title: INDIA: CRICKET: Workers preparing Eden Gardens ahead of the Cricket World Cup are in a race against time to finish construction work
  • Date: 12th January 2011
  • Summary: KOLKATA, INDIA (JANUARY 11, 2011) (ANI - NO ACCESS BBC) RENOVATION IN PROGRESS AT EDEN GARDENS LABOURERS WORKING RENOVATION WORK AT EDEN GARDENS EDEN GARDENS LABOURERS WORKING AT THE STADIUM ROOF OF THE STADIUM LABOURERS WORKING AT THE STADIUM (SOUNDBITE) (English) BISWARUP DEY, SECRETARY, CRICKET ASSOCIATION OF BENGAL (CAB), SAYING: "Eden Gardens is a traditional
  • Embargoed: 27th January 2011 02:20
  • Keywords:
  • Location: India, India
  • Country: India
  • Topics: Sport
  • Reuters ID: LVA8KGEGKS9FLG8PB35OAIKF6Y8W
  • Aspect Ratio: 4:3
  • Story Text: Despite global criticism over the perceived 'slackness' in the preparations for the 2010 Commonwealth Games, Indian authorities seem to have failed to learn from the infrastructure debacle ahead of the Cricket World Cup 2011.
    With under two months to go before cricket's showpiece comes to the sub-continent, authorities still have a long way to go to complete construction and upgrade work in major venues, including the famed Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
    Biswarup Dey is the Secretary of Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) and says it has been a struggle to convert Eden Gardens into a modern facility.
    "Eden Gardens is a traditional ground and it is very difficult to convert it into a modern outlook," he said.
    "Previously, we had 90,000 capacities, now it has been reduced to 62,000 capacities because entire system is changed.
    "There is a concrete gallery where people can sit together but now the individual bucket chair is introduced."
    Amid the diggers, dust and bare concrete, hundreds of labourers are toiling day and night to complete the stadium.
    Dey added that despite the struggles, the stadium is being properly developed.
    "Right now Eden Gardens is one of the best stadiums in the world.
    "There is a food court in the FD sector, there is a toilet in the upper stand also, the new giant screen will be introduced, clubhouse will be the new look. So, everything is changed," said Dey.
    The tournament, also being held in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh from February 19, will attract huge crowds and worldwide television audiences drawn by the best international players competing in 49 matches.
  • Copyright Holder: ANI (India)
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register