OFFICIAL STATEMENT OF KCA ON CANCELLATION OF INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S SERIES AT SPORTS HUB, TVPM

Dear fans / Well-wishers of Kerala Cricket,

Regarding the forthcoming India Vs South African Women’s series  allotted to KCA  at The Sports Hub, Thiruvananthapuram, we are noticing misleading comments from certain quarters of the social media. In this regard KCA intends to bring to light the facts regarding this issue for the information of the general public :

• After BCCI finalised the series, on KCAs request BCCI allotted all the matches to be held at Trivandrum. The matches were scheduled at the International stadium, Sports Hub keeping in view of the possibility of hosting the forthcoming T20 World Cup and the IPL matches at this centre.
• KCA was confident of hosting the matches successfully in spite of the hurdles of COVID-19 pandemic.
• As per the agreement with KSFL (Karyavattom Sports Facilities Ltd a subsidiary of IL &FS), the Field of Play (FOP) should be exclusively used for Cricketing purposes only and hence KCA has to get the first preference for using the stadium for an International event of this nature.
• Immediately on allotment of the matches, KCA intimated the same to KSFL.
• KCA approached the Government of Kerala and concerned authorities for necessary clearances and approval for conducting the matches at the Sports Hub since the venue was taken over by District Administration as Covid First Line Centre/Covid Care Centre.
• Its only when the Government Officials pointed out about the Army Recruitment Rally KCA came to know the same. Till then, KCA was never informed by KSFL/ IL&FS that they had allotted the stadium for army recruitment rally during the same period allotted for matches.
• KSFL/IL&FS demanded around 88 lakhs towards venue charges for conducting the matches even after being told that there was no revenue to KCA as there are no spectators, sponsorship or in-stadia advertising from this match.
• KCA is maintaining the pitches including FOP for a total expense of Rs.75 lacs to 1 crore per annum. The greenery which the public praise about is only because of the hardwork and fund of KCA.
• KCA spent around Rs.1.81 Cr towards interior work for Corporate Box, and other installations viz.  rolling shutters, sanitary fixtures, PHE works, additional toilet, electrification of VVIP Boxes and Corporate boxes, cable tray and allied works etc which is being recovered from KSFL.
• Also, during previous T20 KCA had to undertake even civil repairs, and flood light repair work including bulb replacement for Rs.16.39 Lacs which is still being recovered from them.  Apart from this KCA pays 15% of the ticket sale revenue to the company as per agreement terms and also additional sum for practice days during hosting of international matches.
• KCA is at loss if even after spending so much it is not able to utilise the ground. Also, hosting matches like this would have attributed in short listing this venue for the upcoming IPL and World Cup 2023.
• Since the Sports hub is being used as a first line Covid treatment centre, considerable amount damage is expected in many of the facilities required by KCA for hosting a match. KSFL expressed their inability to arrange or fulfil any requirements i.e to bear the cost for event related arrangements. Hence, KCA even planned to clean and sanitize the toilets and areas used as Covid Centre. KSFL has been billing KCA the License charges even after being taken over by District Administrative Department despite government relaxations.
• If the Army Recruitment rally is to be held at the ground as planned, it can cause extensive damage to the outfield and pitches. Cost of bringing them back to required standards will be very expensive and take months. KCA offered its Mangalapuram ground for the army recruitment rally as an alternative. 
• Previously also, KSFL/IL&FS has rented out the ground for many celebrity/public functions causing extensive damage to ground and facilities. A portion of such cost is only reimbursed by KSFL as against the actual time and effort put in by KCA labour.
• KCA has no intention whatsoever to shift these matches since the efforts to bring in this match to the Sports Hub was initiated by KCA only. Moreover, there are no other grounds of International standards elsewhere in the state.
• KCA places its wholehearted gratitude to the general public and Government of Kerala for all the support we received/are receiving till date.

Hence, we request all to refrain from such baseless allegations and appreciate KCAs efforts to maintain the stadium to international standards. Be assured that KCA is committed to the cricket fans of Kerala many more International matches including IPL games in the future. Let’s all work together and promote this venue as one of the best cricketing centres in the country and internationally.

Sajan K Varghese                                                         Adv. Sreejith V. Nair

President                                                                   Hon.Secretary