Former SLC official asks ICC not to drop Eden as a venue

Sri Lanka Cricket Board former president, Thilanga Sumathipala, has asked International Cricket Council to reconsider the decision to exclude Eden Gardens from the venues for the ICC world cup 2011.

Speaking to The Hindu on Monday, Mr.Sumathipala, a Member of Parliament, said that every Indian should fight to retain Eden Gardens as a venue. “There is so much life, so much of history that ICC cannot just walk away with this,” he said, and added that he had already sent a letter to ICC president Sharad Pawar on this.

“There were problems in the run up to the Commonwealth Games too. Did the CWG officials decide not to hold the games?” he asked and added that delays were inevitable given the sudden vagaries of weather now being experienced in the sub-continent.

Urging Indians and the Indian Press not to let go of Eden Gardens as a venue for the World Cup cricket, he said that it would be a sad day for the game if a cricket event of such magnitude was held in the India subcontinent without a ball being bowled at the Eden Gardens.

Sri Lanka was indebted to India and Pakistan for the support of these countries in the run up to the world cup 1996, he said. He added that despite the fears of terrorism expressed by countries like Australia and West Indies, a combined Indo-Pak team was assembled to demonstrate to the world that Sri Lanka was safe. Sri Lanka also had some great memories of the world cup game in Eden Gardens. “All Sri Lankans will stand by India to fight for Eden Gardens.”