Miffed SAI asks organisers to pay up for use of stadium
NEW DELHI: The organisers of the Hero Honda World Cup, it seems, may have to pay a big price for hockey’s homecoming. And it has got nothing to do with the ongoing confusion.
It has been learnt that the Sports Authority of India (SAI), which owns the Dhyan Chand stadium, has asked the organisers to pay something to the tune of Rs 85 lakh as rent for holding the 14-day event in its premises.
“Yes, we have sent a bill to the sports ministry. Everywhere, the organisers pay for the use of a venue. Till now that was not the case in India. But we have to start from somewhere. From now on, we will also be charging for other events in the run-up to the Commonwealth Games,” a SAI source said.
“It’s not about money alone, it’s about sending a message,” the source added. “Cleanliness comes at a cost. Keeping the venues neat and clean and maintaining them is an expensive affair.”
He also said organisers of the Kuala Lumpur World Cup in 2002 too had to pay to the government for using the stadium there. Another source said the power bill for the World Cup fortnight could run up to Rs 15 lakh.
“Why should the SAI pay for it from its own coffers? Also, there are several people engaged to look after the four generators we have installed in the stadium, and also to maintain the air-conditioning systems,” he said, adding: “When the organisers can exploit the commercial aspect of the event to generate crores of rupees, why should the SAI not be paid its dues?”
When contacted, Hardip Singh Kingra, special officer (infrastructure) for the 2010 Commonwealth Games, confirmed that they had raised a bill for the use of the National Stadium. “Yes, we have raised this bill which amounts to Rs 85 lakh and have sent it to the ministry for reimbursement,” he said.