N.Srinivasan, Hon.Secy – BCCI and President – TNCA inaugurates the Pavilion at Murugappa Cricket Ground, Avadi

Chennai, July 5, 2010 -The Murugappa Cricket Ground, a part of the Murugappa Polytechnic College at Avadi now gets a pavilion for the students and the cricketers in the city.

Mr. N. Srinivasan, Hon. Secretary, BCCI & President TNCA inaugurated the pavilion in the presence of Mr. A. Vellyan, Executive Chairman-Murugappa Group. The Pavilion has been designed and equipped to provide facilities of high standards for the players.

The Pavilion covers a total floor area of 4200 sq feet. The pavilion has two well furnished changing rooms for the players. It also has two open terraces, a viewers’ gallery, a VIP gallery and a spacious dining area with pantry. These auxiliary attraction and facilities would put the Murugappa Cricket Ground on par with the best cricket grounds in the country.

During his address, Mr. N. Srinivasan said, “The addition of the Murugappa pavilion will galvanize interest and enthusiasm for cricket in Chennai and encourage more youngsters to come forward and participate. The pavilion extension will also bring a world of difference in the playing experience for the students of Murugappa polytechnic College, TNCA affiliated Clubs and the neighborhood communities.”

He lauded the continuous support of Mr. Vellayan – Murugappa Group to Cricket and said that development of grounds and facilities like this would go a long way in nurturing and promoting quality of cricket.

Mr Vellayan in his address said, “The development of the Murugappa Cricket Ground in 2007 was one more commitment of the Murugappa Group towards promoting sports at all levels. The Group endorses Hockey, the national game by sponsoring the MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup Hockey Tournament. The Group also supports Chennai Open and played a pivotal role of it being recognised as a significant tournament in the International Tennis professional circuit. It was our commitment to provide a quality ground for Cricket which is at par with the best grounds in the country. The design and development of the pavilion is in line with this commitment”.

He expressed the hope that the closer association with TNCA, and with the support of a person like Mr. N. Srinivasan, this ground will have the privilege of hosting national level cricket which will promote the spirit sports among students and cricket community.

The Murugappa Cricket Ground has hosted several tournaments which include Buchi Babu National Level Cricket Tournament, Hindu Trophy, Murugappa Cup Cricket Tournament and TNCA for their Senior & Junior Division League Matches along with the TNCA affiliated clubs. Some of the prominent National and International players who have played in this ground are Pragyan Ojha, Dinesh Kartik, Murali Vijay, Badrinath and Tinu Youhanan.

The Group’s commitment to Cricket is evident from the fact that two teams of the Group Parrys and TICI are in Senior Division and Junior Division League of TNCA. The first match that would be held on the ground after the inclusion of the pavilion will be TNCA – Senior Division League from July 7 to 9, 2010 between Parrys and IOC Staff Club.