But assures to call a meeting with elected representatives, officers soon to discuss the issue

The proposal of Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) to construct a well-equipped international-level cricket stadium in Mysuru has been cold-shouldered by the State Government that said there was no proposal as such.

Minister for Youth Empowerment and Sports K.C. Narayanagowda informed the Legislative Assembly that so far the Department has not made any plans for the construction of a cricket stadium in Mysuru.

It may be recalled here that on Jan. 21 at an event in Mysuru, KSCA Secretary Santosh Menon had said that 20 acres of land has been identified near Ring Road in Mysuru where a state-of-the-art cricket stadium is being planned.

The issue was raised in the Assembly during the question hour by Narasimharaja MLA and former Minister Tanveer Sait. “This is much needed in Mysuru, which is Karnataka’s second-biggest city. There is already land available for this and the Government should hold talks with the KSCA,” Sait told the House.

Intervening, Speaker Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri suggested Minister Narayanagowda to initiate discussions with KSCA on building the stadium. To this, the Minister replied that he would facilitate talks and explore the option. Tanveer Sait too welcomed the Speaker’s suggestion and asked the Minister to hold talks with the KSCA on building an international-level cricket stadium in Mysuru on a Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) model.

Following the Speaker’s intervention, Narayanagowda said that he would call for a meeting with officers and elected representatives from Mysuru to discuss the issue. While the State Government would pool in Rs. 25 crore for the stadium, the Centre will grant Rs. 25 crore, the Minister said.

To another question, Narayanagowda said sports stadia were constructed by his Department in 29 District Headquarters and 121 Taluk Headquarters. “It is intended to construct stadia in the remaining District and Taluk Headquarters, and playfields at Hobli and village-level based on land availability,” he said. As many as 55 new stadia have been proposed by the Legislature, he added.