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Just one month before it was scheduled to host matches for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, the Sawai Man Singh Stadium, Rajasthan Royals' (RR) home venue, has been closed off by the Rajasthan Sports Council, citing the failure of the state cricket association to meet its obligations, including the settlement of financial dues.
The Rajasthan Cricket Association's (RCA) offices and its academy, in addition to the stadium, have been sealed.
Sawai Man Singh stadium sealed off one month ahead of IPL 2024
Sohan Ram Choudhary, the secretary of the Rajasthan Sports Council, issued a notice to the RCA last Friday demanding the turnover of the property to the state council, which did not occur.
Due to the RCA's inability to adhere to the terms outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and to clear outstanding dues, the state sports council proceeded to seal the mentioned facilities.
“We had sent them (RCA) numerous notices but there was no reply from their end. They only replied to increase the MoU to 10 years (from eight years). They had liabilities and they did not fulfil them,” Choudhary told the media.
“We have sat down with RCA to find a solution. They received approximately Rs 200 crores but told us that they haven't received the sum. They had a lot of money during the Rajasthan Premier League but they did not adhere to the MoU and did not deposit the money, that's why we had to take this step,” he added.
However, Choudhary assured that the venue would still host the IPL matches and all other scheduled events.
“This is our premise and we just took it back. The IPL matches will happen and all other national and international matches will also happen and the players will get all the facilities,” he said.
Vaibhav Gehlot, the president of the RCA, claimed the action was motivated by "political malice" and argued that his organization was not provided sufficient time to react.
“The pending dues are old one, Rs 8 crore is outstanding but suddenly sealing (because of) that old case and that too before the IPL shows political malice. This should not have happened," Gehlot said.
"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,” he added.
Gehlot mentioned that the RCA is planning to seek legal advice on the course of action to be taken in response to this situation.
The local team, Rajasthan Royals, is scheduled to play their opening match at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium against Lucknow Super Giants on March 24.
Their second match at this venue will be against Delhi Capitals on March 28. Due to the general elections, the IPL 2024 schedule has been released for only the first two weeks, covering 21 matches.
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