Karyavattom loses World Cup venue status; setback caused by lapses in stadium maintenance

Thiruvananthapuram: The Karyavattom Greenfield stadium will not be the venue for the Women's World Cup cricket matches. The reason for the loss of the venue, which was earlier included in the preliminary list submitted by BCCI, is the result of the negligence of Karyavattom Sports Facility Limited (KSFL) in the maintenance of the international stadium. This has also resulted in a loss of hosting another five matches by the Kerala Cricket Association at the Thiruvananthapuram Sports Hub International Stadium.

The major reason for losing the venue was the poor maintenance of infrastructure, where the stadium's grass field is said to be maintained according to international standards by the Kerala Cricket Association, and Karyavattom Sports Facility Limited is in charge of the building complex around it.

Contrary to the order by the government and KCA to protect playgrounds and stadiums, the KSFL authorities gave permission for film shooting, which led to the destruction of the grass field. Apart from that, yesterday the stadium gallery's roof also got damaged.

Since the announcement that the stadium may have a chance to host the Women's World Cup, LED floodlights worth Rs 18 crores were being installed at the stadium in consultation with the government, but now it is in vain.

Taking into account the lapses in stadium maintenance by the KSFC, the government has initiated steps to take back the international stadium. KCA officials stated that if the government does not intervene immediately and take back the stadium, it could lose its chance to host international matches.