Foundation Stone Laying of of World’s Third Largest Cricket Stadium at Chonp

 

Jaipur, February 5. Chief Minister Mr Ashok Gehlot said that the State Government is promoting sports and sportspersons in the State with full commitment. It is our effort to develop an ambience of sports in the State so that sportspersons of Rajasthan could showcase their talent in the country and around the world. In this backdrop, the construction of world’s third largest cricket stadium at Chonp near Jaipur is very important for the state, he said.

Mr  Gehlot was addressing the foundation stone laying ceremony of the international cricket stadium through a video conference from his official residence on Saturday. He said today is the golden day for Rajasthan cricket. It will be a dream come true for the sportspersons and sports enthusiasts, he said. The then RCA president Dr. CP Joshi had envisaged this, which is being fulfilled by the present RCA president Shri Vaibhav Gehlot with the help of the State Government and BCCI, he added.

The Chief Minister said that Rajasthan has a long association with cricket. Rajputana Cricket Association was formed in 1931. Today, there are Cricket Associations in 33 districts of the State. In such a situation, Rajasthan should get its due. He asked BCCI president Shri Sourav Ganguly and secretary Shri Jay Shah to give priority to Rajasthan in hosting international cricket matches. He was hopeful that more and more international matches would be organised in the State. Mentioning the international cricket match held recently at the SMS Stadium after 8 years, he urged BCCI to give more international matches to Rajasthan, so that the enthusiasm of cricket lovers remains intact.




Mr Gehlot said Rajasthan will have four stadiums of international level including SMS Stadium in Jaipur, Barkatullah Khan Stadium in Jodhpur along with the stadium being built in Udaipur and the international stadium to be built at Chonp in Jaipur. Shri Gehlot said, “It is our goal that the construction of the international stadium is completed on time and soon the sports enthusiasts and the general public get the gift of this wonderful stadium.

State Assembly Speaker and RCA Chief Patron Dr. CP Joshi said, “I am sure that the RCA will complete the work of world’s third largest cricket stadium on time with the help of the State Government and BCCI.” After the stadium gets ready, the youth of our State will get better opportunities in sports in the coming time, he said.

At the beginning of the programme, RCA president Shri Vaibhav Gehlot welcomed the Chief Minister and other guests said that today we are witnessing a historic day. It was the wish of sports lovers, cricketers and the general public that a stadium of international level is built in Jaipur. This was possible with the guidance and help of Chief Minister Shri Ashok Gehlot, RCA chief patron Dr CP Joshi and BCCI.

He was thankful to BCCI president Shri Sourav Ganguly and secretary Shri Jay Shah for giving an opportunity to Rajasthan to host an international cricket match after the gap of 8 years. He said that the first and second phase of work of the international stadium coming up in Chonp will be completed in a time-bound manner and sports enthusiasts will get a chance to watch international cricket matches here.

BCCI president Ganguly recalled the days he spent playing Ranji and Duleep Trophy matches at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium. He assured that the BCCI would extend full support in the construction of the new stadium and in promoting cricket in Rajasthan. BCCI secretary Shah said that after Ahmedabad and Melbourne, the world’s third largest stadium being built near Jaipur will give a boost to cricket in Rajasthan.

Prior to this, the Chief Minister and other guests virtually laid the foundation stone of the construction work of the Stadium. PHED Minister Dr Mahesh Joshi, BCCI Vice President Mr Rajeev Shukla, RCA Advisor Mr GS Sandhu, RCA Vice President Mr Ameen Pathan, Secretary Mr Mahendra Sharma, Treasurer Mr Krishna Nimawat and other officials were present in the programme.