Shivlal recollects Vivek’s early contribution in building Uppal Cricket Stadium

Says Visaka Industries was the first to come forward to give the first instalment of about Rs 1 crore with which the construction began

Hyderabad: Former BCCI president N Shivlal Yadav went down memory lane to acknowledge the financial support of Dr. G Vivek, newly sworn Telangana Minister and also ex-president of Hyderabad Cricket Association, in constructing the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium at Uppal.

Speaking at the felicitation function put up for Dr. Vivek on Saturday night, Shivlal said the HCA had a bank balance of just Rs 60,000 enough when the then State government allotted the site for the construction of the stadium in early 2000.

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“So, when I and late Dr. MV Sridhar approached G Venktaswamy, former Union Minister and father of Dr. Vivek, he was not sure about the whole project, especially after he had seen the site allotted, which was a barren land full of hillocks and bushes,” Shivlal said.

“Are you sure you will complete the stadium on this site? That was Venkataswamy’s poser. Then, we briefed him about the need to have HCA’s own stadium and when convinced, Visaka Industries was the first to come forward to give the first instalment of about Rs 1 crore cheque with which the construction began,” the former India off-spinner said.

“So, what stands there now at Uppal is because of the initiative of Dr. Vivek, Dr. G Vinod, who was also ex-president of HCA, and Venkataswamy sir,” Shivlal said.
Replying to the felicitations, Dr. Vivek said that being an avid cricket lover, he always dreamt of Hyderabad having its own exclusive cricket stadium.

“I must say it is the collective effort of everyone that we have such a wonderful stadium. Yes, the HCA officials led by Shivlal, Dr. Sridhar and others did a wonderful job in ensuring the magnificent structure is there,” Dr. Vivek said.

“Well, unfortunately, now cricket has become synonymous with only those playing in and around Hyderabad. It is high time cricket is taken to the remote areas of the districts where there is abundance of talent. We need to put our heart and soul into producing cricketers from the districts,” he said.

“Let us all work unitedly to realise this objective,” Dr.Vivek said.

Former India-A cricketer Vanka Pratap proposed a vote of thanks.