Image Source: ANI
[Saba Sports News] The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) grounds at Navule have been inundated by severe rainfall over the past few days, with the delayed drainage project being blamed for the flooding.
The stadium, ironically built on the site of a historical tank, is now hampered by rainwater flow from nearby regions, causing a three-day inundation due to obstructed outflow from the silted Navule tank.
This issue has affected young cricketers’ practice opportunities, similar to a flooding incident in August 2019. The incomplete project meant to divert water to drains is cited as the cause.
KSCA was granted 26 acres in 2002 for the stadium, which began construction in 2007 and soon hosted matches. Five acres were dedicated to a tank and road development.
The Shivamogga zone, encompassing Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru, and Hassan districts, includes 45 institutional member clubs, four institutional associate member clubs, and about 45 non-affiliated clubs.
KSCA convener H.S. Sadananada noted that around 400 cricket matches are conducted yearly at the stadium, benefiting under-14, under-16, and under-19 cricketers from the three districts.
Earlier this year, Karnataka youngster Prakhar Chaturvedi made history at this ground in the Cooch Behar Trophy final, scoring an unbeaten 404 off 638 balls, breaking Yuvraj Singh’s 24-year-old record. Budding cricketers hope the ground clears up soon so they can resume practice.