K'taka govt to decide tomorrow on allowing cricket matches in Chinnaswamy Stadium

BELAGAVI: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress President D.K. Shivakumar said the proposal to allow cricket matches at Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru will be discussed and decided in the Cabinet meeting scheduled for Thursday (December 11). The stadium has not hosted any matches since the stampede on June 4, in which 11 people were killed.

He was speaking to the media on Wednesday at the Belagavi Circuit House after the newly elected Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) President, former Indian pacer Venkatesh Prasad and other newly elected office-bearers met him.

“We have no intention of stopping cricket matches. But crowd-management measures need to be examined. We also intend to implement the recommendations of the Justice Michael D'Cunha Committee in a phased manner. Venkatesh Prasad too has agreed to this,” he said.

“Our government is committed to responding to the sentiments of cricket fans without compromising the honour and self-respect of our state,” he added.