Uncertainty over semifinals
Despite the clearance to host the league matches in the ongoing World Twenty20, trouble is still brewing for the Ferozeshah Kotla stadium.
The DDCA is now in danger of losing both the men’s and women’s semifinals following restrictions on commercial use of the R.P. Mehra Block (Old Clubhouse).
While the sale of about 2200 tickets for the block had already been refused, the ICC wants to put up sponsor hoardings in that section, which has been strictly prohibited by Justice Mukul Mudgal. The building has been deemed illegal by the ASI and the DDCA has been asked to demolish it.
“The DDCA has gone to the Supreme Court on this issue today seeking permission to put up hoardings but Justice T.S. Thakur has set a date of March 28 for the next hearing.
The semifinals are slated for March 30, which means there is hardly any time for a decision to be taken. That has put a question mark over Delhi hosting the knockout games,” a senior DDCA official admitted on Friday.
In fact, sale of tickets for the semifinals has been stopped and there is no clarity on its resumption.
“The ICC cannot possibly wait till the court hearing to take a decision. And the DDCA cannot go ahead with putting up commercial banners till that happens. Either way, a decision on Delhi’s hosting rights will have to be sorted in the coming week,” the official said.
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