ACA Denies Slur Over Promoting Cricket At The Cost Of Football

Guwahati: Assam Cricket Association (ACA) dismissed the allegations levelled against it regarding promotion of cricket at the expense of Football and gaining control of the historic Nehru Stadium of Guwahati solely for developing the game of cricket.

Terming the accusations unfounded and uncalled for, the secretary of the ACA Devajit Saikia today said to the media, " ACA never sought or tried to relegate the importance of Football in Assam, but instead only worked towards the development of the game."

Substantiating the claim he said that Assam Cricket Association had recently identified 40 acres of land in Tinsukia for developing both Cricket and Football, besides adopting other football-friendly measures, including donating a sum of Rupees 50,000 recently to Assam Football Referee Association.

Regarding the accusation concerning the possession of the Nehru Stadium for promoting Cricket at the cost of Football the president of the ACA Romen Dutta, who was also present in the media briefing, said, "Assam Cricket Association had signed an agreement with the Board of Sports, Assam to revive the glorious past of the Nehru Stadium by developing 4 centre wickets for cricket and two grounds for Football at the sole expense of the association and has accordingly delivered what was promised.

"Now it is the responsibility to the Board of Sports, Assam to decide how they would allot the ground and to whom. Assam Cricket Association has no role to play in it."

Earlier, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also said the media that the Nehru stadium will open for football after the Ranji Trophy. He said, "While national-level cricket matches take place, it has to be given priority. I've asked the Sports Department to give space to football at the Nehru Stadium after the Ranji Trophy matches are over." It may be mentioned here that a section of former and current football players recently had hit the streets demanding dedicated football grounds for them.

Also read: ACA Takes Tough Stand Against U-19 NFRSA Cricket Team

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