The Sawai Mansingh Stadium, scheduled to host upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) matches, has been sealed by the Rajasthan Sports Council. The council alleges that the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) failed to meet its financial obligations, leading to the unprecedented step.
The crackdown extended beyond the stadium, encompassing the RCA office and its academy. The move comes after the council served a notice to the RCA on Friday, seeking the handover of the property. However, the handover did not materialize, prompting the state sports council to seal the properties, citing the RCA's alleged breach of conditions outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and non-payment of dues.
Rajasthan Sports Council secretary, Sohan Ram Choudhary, expressed dissatisfaction with the RCA's response to multiple notices. "They only replied to increase the MoU to 10 years. They had liabilities, and they did not fulfill them," Choudhary stated as quoted by PTI, outlining the need to take action due to the RCA's failure to deposit funds despite receiving approximately Rs 200 crores.
Despite the tumultuous situation, Choudhary assured that the Sawai Mansingh Stadium would host IPL matches and all other scheduled games. "The IPL matches will happen, and all other national and international matches will also happen, and the players will get all the facilities," he affirmed.
Rajasthan Cricket Association Says 'Not Given Full Time' After Sawai Mansingh Stadium Gets Sealed
In response, RCA president Vaibhav Gehlot decried the move as "political malice," asserting that the RCA was not afforded sufficient time to respond. Gehlot revealed that the outstanding dues were related to an old case, amounting to Rs 8 crore. He accused the sealing of the stadium, especially before the IPL, as politically motivated and expressed discontent over the inadequate response time.
"We were not given full time; the time given was less than two days. There should not be politics in sports, but politics is happening, which is not right," Gehlot lamented, adding that the RCA would consult its lawyers to determine the appropriate course of action.
Despite the controversy, the Sawai Man Singh Stadium is slated to host the Rajasthan Royals' opening match against Lucknow Super Giants on March 24, followed by a game against Delhi Capitals on March 28. The IPL 2024 schedule for the first two weeks and 21 matches has been announced, considering the upcoming general elections.