By IANS,
Raipur : Chhattisgarh has invited country’s top cricketers including Sachin Tendulkar and Mahendra Singh Dhoni to play a match next week at a stadium here, which will be the first international cricket stadium of the state, officials said Friday.
The government has planned to host a Twenty20 cricket match at the launch function of the new stadium built to host international cricket matches, sports department officials said.
“Chhattisgarh’s first ever cricket stadium, with a seating capacity of 60,000, is now ready for international events. We want to make the announcement September 11 with a formal Twenty20 cricket match to be played by several cricket stars of India,” a top sports department official said.
The stadium has been built at village Parsada in Naya Raipur, 20 km from here. Naya Raipur will replace present capital Raipur as the state’s new capital by 2011.
The officials added that former test player Rajesh Chauhan, who is employed in the state with the Bhilai Steel Plant, is in touch with famous cricketers including some retired players to arrange a match to make the stadium dedication function a memorable one.
But they added that top cricketers Sachin, Dhoni and others were yet to confirm their participation.
Hyderabad-based Nagarajuna Construction Company has almost completed all major construction works for the stadium, including pavilion, electronic score board, media centre, commentary box and six huge stands.