Date:06/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/06/stories/2008030656222200.htm

Sport - Cricket

Board opts for public felicitation

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The proposed motorcade reception for the victorious Indian cricket team has been cancelled and only a public felicitation will be held at the Ferozeshah Kotla ground on Thursday.

Addressing newspersons here on Wednesday, the Board vice-president Rajiv Shukla said the decision was taken in view of the traffic congestion in the Capital.

“Moreover, the boys will be tired after such a long tour,” said Mr. Shukla and explained, “We were receiving requests from different localities to route the motorcade through their areas. Since it cannot be done, we decided to cancel the motorcade journey.”

The team will arrive in Mumbai at 11 a.m. and board a flight to Delhi soon thereafter. The public reception will be held at the Kotla from 3.30 pm.

Host Delhi and District Cricket Association President Arun Jaitley said, “The Lieutenant Governor of Delhi and the city mayor will be present for the function. The Chief Minister was keen to be present but at the moment, she is in Kerala.”

The public would be allowed to watch the felicitation from the stands. “Though the gates are thrown open to the public, no one will be allowed inside the ground,” said Mr. Jaitley, adding that a temporary stage would be built on the ground.

Mr. Jaitley said the decision to present cash awards to the Delhi players, in both the National and the under-19 squads, would be taken after a meeting of the committee members.

Praveen to get five lakh

Mr. Shukla announced that the selectors, both National and under-19, would be given Rs. 10 lakh each.

In his capacity as the secretary of the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association, Mr. Shukla said, “Praveen Kumar will be given Rs. five lakh. Suresh Raina, Piyush Chawla and Tanmay Srivastava will receive Rs. one lakh each.”