Latest news with #DevajitSaikia
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Business Standard
6 days ago
- Sport
- Business Standard
Chinnaswamy Stadium may lose Women's World Cup matches over safety woes
With less than two months remaining for the start of the ICC Women's ODI World Cup, uncertainty looms over Bengaluru's M. Chinnaswamy Stadium's participation as a host venue. The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) is still awaiting clearance from local authorities to stage matches, a delay attributed to concerns stemming from a tragic stampede that occurred earlier this year during Royal Challengers Bangalore's IPL victory parade. The incident led to the deaths of 11 people, significantly influencing the scrutiny on crowd management at the venue. The stadium is scheduled to host key fixtures, including the tournament opener on September 30, five league-stage games, and the crucial semifinal on October 30. However, the absence of official clearance has cast doubt on the venue's readiness, prompting the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to consider alternate options. BCCi considering alternatives According to BCCI's Devajit Saikia, clarity is urgently needed, with the ICC also growing concerned about the delays. Saikia stated that if necessary permissions are not granted by Saturday, the board will explore alternative venues to host the scheduled matches. A probe committee, formed by the Karnataka government, is examining the cause of the April stampede and recommending future safety measures. The KSCA, meanwhile, maintains that all required documentation has been submitted and that it remains hopeful of a positive outcome. If permissions fall through, it would significantly impact the tournament's logistics. Bengaluru is slated to host marquee clashes like India vs England and India vs South Africa, both of which are major draws for fans. Adding to the complication, a recent court ruling described the stadium as "unfit for mass gatherings," further muddying the waters. The ruling emphasized long-standing civic issues like poor crowd control and inadequate exits. With time ticking away, both KSCA and BCCI must act swiftly. For the success of the Women's World Cup and the safety of spectators, a prompt resolution is essential.
Indian Express
7 days ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
Uncertainty looms over Chinnaswamy Stadium hosting Women's World Cup games; local authorities yet to give nod
The fate of M Chinnaswamy Stadium hosting the ICC Women's ODI World Cup matches in September-November hangs in the balance with Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) yet to get permission from local authorities to host the matches at the venue, where 11 people lost their lives in a stampede during Royal Challengers Bengaluru victory celebrations. The Chinnaswamy Stadium, which is scheduled to host the World Cup opener on September 30 and one of the semifinals, is also in line to host the final if Pakistan doesn't qualify for the title clash. Given the uncertainty, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has given the state association time till Saturday to get the necessary permission. If not, the BCCI is planning to look at alternate options as it is keen to avoid any eleventh hour changes. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said the board is aware of the situation and is in touch with the International Cricket Council. 'We have learnt about the issue and are in touch with KSCA. As things stand, they still need to get permission from the relevant authorities to host the World Cup matches. Since the tournament is beginning on September 30, we don't have enough time because ICC also needs clarity as early as possible. We have given them a couple of days. If they don't get the required permission by Saturday, then we will be looking at other venues to host these matches,' Saikia told The Indian Express. The probe commission set up by the Karnataka state government had raised several red-flags in its report regarding the safety measures in the stadium. The KSCA, which was planning to host the Maharaja Cup T20, initially behind closed doors, has now moved the entire tournament to Mysuru as they were denied permission to host the matches at the Chinnaswamy. It is understood that the KSCA has written to the government seeking clearance to host the World Cup matches, but so far there hasn't been any positive developments. The Chinnaswamy Stadium is one of the four venues in India that are scheduled to host the eight-team event. With Pakistan having its reservation to play in India, the ICC has allotted its fixtures to Colombo which is scheduled to host 11 matches. With teams set to criss-cross between India and Sri Lanka, the reason why the organisers picked Bengaluru as a venue was that it has an airport that includes an immigration centre and is closer to Colombo with an air time of 90 minutes. Apart from the opening fixture, Bengaluru is also scheduled to host England vs South Africa (October 3), India vs Bangladesh (October 26) and second semifinal (on October 30). It is also in line to host the final in case Pakistan doesn't qualify. The other venues in India which will host the World Cup fixtures are Vizag, Guwahati and Indore. Justice John Michael Cunha, who headed the probe commission set up by the state government to investigate the stampede that occurred on June 4, in his report has 'strongly' recommended that 'stadium authorities consider relocating events that are expected to attract large crowds to venues that are better suited for such large gatherings.' Apart from placing its recommendation, the probe panel has also mentioned that the Chinnaswamy stadium built in 1974 and sits in the heart of Bengaluru is unsafe for mass gatherings. 'The design and structure of the stadium was unsuitable and unsafe for mass gathering,' the report stated. Since the stampede, the venue's safety has come under sharp focus with the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (BESCOM) cutting off the power supply to KSCA for failing to comply with the fire safety norms at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. With Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium, undergoing outfield renovation, the next option in the southern region for the BCCI, should it take the matches away from Bengaluru, is Hyderabad. But the Hyderabad Cricket Association has its own share of problems with its Apex Council suspending president A Jagan Mohan Rao, secretary R Devraj and treasurer CJ Srinivas Rao at an emergent meeting recently. All the three office-bearers were taken into police custody on charges of misappropriation of funds and forgery.
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First Post
25-07-2025
- Sport
- First Post
BCCI silent as IND vs PAK Asia Cup leaks flood internet; fans criticise Indian cricket board: 'It's all business for them'
The BCCI is yet to confirm anything, but media reports are flooded with news of India and Pakistan facing each other in the 2025 Asia Cup, something that hasn't gone down well with fans. read more India and Pakistan could be a part of same group in Asia Cup 2025. Image: PTI The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to keep mum on the future of the Asia Cup 2025, as media leaks have flooded the internet that India and Pakistan will be part of the same group in the tournament, set to take place in the second week of September. The reports also state that BCCI has agreed to organise the tournament in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) despite being the hosts. This will allow the Indian team to avoid travelling to a neutral venue for the matches against the Pakistan cricket team. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A report in the Hindustan Times states that BCCI is yet to make any formal comment on the matter, as 'further deliberations' are still required. 'We are in consultations with the BCCI and hopefully we will resolve the (issues) very soon,' Mohsin Naqvi, The chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Asian Cricket Council (ACC), told reporters on Thursday in Dhaka. India to play Pakistan in Asia Cup? The news of India and Pakistan possibly being in the same group in the Asia Cup 2025 and that the BCCI has agreed to host the tournament, went viral after the Indian cricket board took part in the ACC AGM after initially boycotting the event. The news of BCCI attending the AGM has been confirmed by secretary Devajit Saikia. 'Our vice-president Rajeev Shukla ji attended the ACC meeting. He will brief the members. I don't believe in speculations so you will get to know officially in a few days time,' BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told news agency PTI. Immediately after the AGM ended, media houses like the Times of India and India Today started reporting that the Asia Cup will be held as planned this year, despite the deteriorating relationship between India and Pakistan since the Pahalgam terror attack and that both the national teams could find themselves in the same group. Reportedly, BCCI vice president Rajeev Shukla and ACC president Naqvi are also due to meet again to finalise the schedule. 'It has been decided that the Asia Cup will be held. Shukla and Asian Cricket Council president and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi are scheduled to meet in the coming days to finalise the venues and the tournament schedule. 'Being the designated hosts, the BCCI is likely to announce the schedule of the tournament in the next few days,' a BCCI source told the Times of India. The source added that the BCCI is also in touch with the Indian government to obtain permission for the event. 'The BCCI is in touch with the Indian government for permission to play Pakistan in the Asia Cup,' the source added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Fans slam BCCI over Asia Cup stand The news of India playing Pakistan for the first time in international cricket since the Phalgam attack and Operation Sindoor, possibly at the Asia Cup, did not go down well with a few fans who slammed the BCCI on social media platforms. 'Despite the Pahalgam tragedy, India likely to face Pakistan in Asia Cup 2025. Promotions already underway. SHAME on @BCCI for not pulling out. Is wearing BLACK ARMBANDS all you can do?' a user asked on X. Another user said: 'Small money is involved so WCL got cancelled but India is still playing against Pakistan in Asia Cup and BCCI hasn't cancelled it because the amount of money decides the level of patriotism.' Here are some more reactions: Asia cup has India and Pakistan in the same group! You do the math!! It's all business for them! — Gagan Chawla (@toecrushrzzz) July 24, 2025 When we say that there should be no hyphenation between India and Pakistan,then why has India agreed to play the Asia cup with pakistan irrespective of where it will be held. Is sports more important than the life of the people of India?Is op sindoor over?#PahalgamTerrorAttack — Deepali Chandak (@DeepaliCha33124) July 24, 2025 India gonna play With Pakistan and Bangladesh in Asia Cup soon... shame bcci — thadesh (@thadeshsai) July 25, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While the pressure from broadcasters could be a reason behind BCCI's possible agreement to the Asia Cup and playing against Pakistan, the ball is still in the Indian government's court.
News18
25-07-2025
- Sport
- News18
India And Pakistan In Same Group For Asia Cup 2025: Report
Last Updated: The clouds of uncertainty over this year's Asia Cup have been lifted with the continental tournament expected to start in the first week of September. The biennial Asia Cup tournament is expected to be played at the neutral venue due to the geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan with UAE the likely destination. The tournament was originally scheduled to be held in India but now will reportedly be played across two venues in the UAE with BCCI keeping the hosting rights. Following the dastardly terrorist attack in Pahalgam and the resulting India-Pakistan skirmishes at the border, various media reports claimed that Indian cricket team may withdraw from the Asia Cup. However, BCCI refuted any such development. Now, according to news agency PTI, during a meeting of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) in Dhaka which the BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla attended virtually, the decision to play the competition in UAE was taken. However, a final decision over the scheduling is still pending. 'The BCCI will host the Asia Cup in the UAE. India is likely to play all its matches in Dubai. There are still deliberations on scheduling," an ACC source told PTI. India And Pakistan In Same Group? The tournament will be held in T20I format this time around and as per reports, India and Pakistan will be kept in the same group meaning they could clash at least twice – once in the group stage and then Super Six with a possibility of a third match should both qualify for the final. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia says an official announcement regarding Asia Cup will be made in the coming days. 'Our vice-president Rajeev Shukla attended the ACC meeting. He will brief the members. I don't believe in speculations so you will get to know officially in a few days time," BCCI secretary Saikia said. When Was The Last Time India-Pakistan Clashed? India and Pakistan recently played against each other at the Champions Trophy in Dubai during a group stage match. The tournament was originally toz be hosted in Pakistan but BCCI's refusal to send its team resulted in it being held in Hybrid Model with India playing all their matches in Dubai including the semifinal and the final. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hans India
25-07-2025
- Sport
- Hans India
BCCI set to host Asia Cup in UAE, India-Pak match likely
New Delhi/Dhaka: The Indian cricket board is all set to host the upcoming Asia Cup T20 tournament in the United Arab Emirates with the formal announcement expected in a few days' time, sources in the Asian Cricket Council (ACC)said on Thursday. This was after an ACC meeting that all 25 member nations attended to discuss the venue for the event. BCCI was represented by its vice-president Rajeev Shukla virtually. 'The BCCI will host the Asia Cup in the UAE. India is likely to play all its matches in Dubai. There are still deliberations on scheduling,' an ACC source told PTI on conditions of anonymity. The tournament will be held for a little over fortnight in September. It has to end before the final week of the month as India's Test series against West Indies is scheduled from that point. 'Our vice-president Rajeev Shukla ji attended the ACC meeting. He will brief the members. I don't believe in speculations so you will get to know officially in a few days time,' BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told PTI. In Dhaka, ACC chairman and Pakistan Cricket Board head Mohsin Naqvi also kept cards close to his chest when asked about a possible Indo-Pak match at the continental event. 'We will announce it shortly. We have had discussions with the BCCI and there are a few issues that we will resolve shortly. All 25 members attended the meet either physically or virtually. We are all on same page,' Naqvi told reporters. It is also learnt that due to BCCI's pressure, only two out of 10 items on the agenda, were discussed.
