R. ARIVANANTHAM
SALEM, FEB 9
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswamy on Sunday inaugurated the Salem Cricket Foundation (SCF) Ground with international standards at Kattuvepplaipatti in Vazhappadi near Salem.
Inaugurating the ground, the chief minister called up on the youngsters to make use of the facility created by the Salem Cricket Foundation (SCF) in a sprawling 16 acre land in the serene location near the Salem-Coimbatore national highway. The ground has five well maintained Turf Wickets and 12 practice turf wickets, a player pavilion, press box etc. It has sight screens of International Match Dimensions.
Palaswami also said that former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa had encouraged sports personalities with government employment, following her footsteps, the present government will continue to encourage budding sports stars from rural pockets.
Participating in the inaugural function, former Indian Skipper and Head of National Cricket Academy, Bengaluru Rahul Dravid said that the facility would encourage rural youths to shine in sports activities and hopes that the next generation cricketers will thrive from rural areas.
Former BCCI and TNCA President N. Srinivasan said that this ground was utilised to select under14 cricket team earlier. Efforts would be taken to conduct IPL matches in this ground, he added. Captain Cool and former Indian team skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni will play in this ground, Mr. Srinivasan said.
TNCA President Rupa Gurunath, SDCA President P. Srinivasan and other office bearers took part.
State ministers K.A. Sengottaiyan, S.P. Velumani, R.B. Udhayakumar and Sellur Raju also participated.
Later, the Chief Minister played fun cricket. He batted for the balls bowled by Rahul Dravid.
Courtesy: News18 Tamilnadu
V.R. Sivakumaran, Secretary of the Thoothukudi District Cricket Association welcomed the gathering and R.S. Ramasamy of TNCA proposed vote of thanks on behalf of Salem Cricket Foundation.
