Stalled cricket stadium project at SSUS likely to be revived

The stalled cricket stadium project of Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit (SSUS), Kalady, in association with the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) is likely to be revived in tune with the government’s sports policy to expand major sports infrastructure facilities across school and college campuses Statewide.

The project was put on hold due to concerns about clarity of financial gains for the varsity and the long-term transfer of the six-acre land to a private entity. The re-constituted Syndicate of the varsity has plans to initiate discussions on the draft project report soon, according to sources.

The stadium project ran into controversy after the Save University Campaign Committee lodged a complaint before the Keralam Governor, who is also the Chancellor of State universities, alleging lack of transparency in the project mooted by the previous Syndicate.

Draft agreement

According to the draft agreement for a period of 33 years, the cricketing body would have the right to use the six-acre land for developing the stadium and allied infrastructure. The KCA will set up a football ground, an athletic track, and a sports hostel to be managed by the university as part of the agreement. The proponents of the project had clarified that the KCA would have only ‘land use’ rights, and that there would be no financial loss for the varsity.

A section of members of the re-constituted Syndicate pointed out that gaps, if any, in the draft agreement would be cleared while according top priority for protecting the interests of the varsity and its sporting talents. The reported loss incurred by the University of Kerala after it handed over 37 acres on lease for the construction of Greenfield Stadium at Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram, would also be taken into account during the proposed discussions on reviving the project. The concerns flagged by the Chancellor would also be considered, they said.

Officials of the Sports department stated that the government’s policy is to step up modern infrastructure across school and college campuses. It will keep them actively engaged in fitness and training and draw them away from threats posed by drug abuse, they said.