With less than a month remaining until the highly anticipated IPL 2024 kicks off, all eyes are on the Sawai Mansingh Stadium and the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) office in Jaipur. The focus has shifted dramatically as the Rajasthan State Sports Council (RSSC) has sealed both the stadium and the RCA office following a failed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) extension plea.
The saga began when the RSSC refused to extend the MoU, leading to the closure of the stadium and the RCA office. The initial MoU had expired last July, and subsequent attempts to renew it came to a halt on February 21, leaving a staggering INR 34 crore outstanding.
Karan Singh, the Sports Officer, cited the failure to complete the renewal process as the reason for the closure. He explained, “MoU has ended. We have sent them notices many times. Rs 34 crore is due and hence we are here to take possession (of academy and stadium), the process that is needed to renew the MoU once it ended wasn’t done,” as quoted by Daily Jagran.
Amidst preparations for the IPL, the Rajasthan Cricket Association finds itself embroiled in legal scrutiny. Despite the Rajasthan Royals gearing up to commence their IPL campaign at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium on March 24, there’s now a potential need for the franchise to scout alternate host venues.
Efforts by the RCA to secure an MoU extension were fruitless, leading to a financial dispute that has now landed in court. Vaibhav Gehlot, the RCA President, confirmed the notice of stadium and academy seizure, shedding light on the ongoing legal battle over monetary issues.
“We have sent a request that the MoU should be extended, but it wasn’t extended. We received notice two days back that the academy (RCA) and the stadium (Sawai Mansingh Stadium) will be seized by the sports council. The monetary case between RCA and the sports council is in court,” Gehlot stated.
As uncertainty looms over the ownership of the stadium and academy, questions arise regarding the logistical implications for the IPL. The deadlock between the RCA and the RSSC threatens to overshadow IPL preparations, with legal proceedings likely to impact scheduling for the Rajasthan Royals.
The future of the Sawai Mansingh Stadium and the RCA office hangs precariously in the balance as the legal battle unfolds, casting a shadow over the much-anticipated IPL 2024 season.
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