Top cricketers fail to turn up for felicitation ceremony

Chandigarh, January 20: A function organised by the UT Cricket Association, Chandigarh, to honour cricketers produced by the city who went on to play for the country proved a damp squib as most of the players failed to turn up.

India's Wisden Cricketer of the Century Kapil Dev was billed to be the star attraction along with players like Ashok Malhotra, Chetan Sharma, Yograj Singh, Bhupinder Singh Senior, Dinesh Mongia and Yuvraj Singh, But due to one reason or other all except Dinesh Mongia and Yograj Singh failed to make it to Sector 16 Cricket Stadium, the venue where the event was held.

Lt Gen. JFR Jacob(Retd), the Governor of Punjab, who was the chief guest, was there in time. He delivered a short speech and the function was over sooner than expected. Yograj Singh and Dinesh Mongia were both honoured during the brief ceremony.

General Jacob assured better facilities at the stadium. He also made a plea for the upliftment of games like hockey and football in the city.

Earlier, speaking on the occassion, Col. AS Judge, President of the association, demanded that keeping in view his tremendous achievements, the stadium should be named after legendary all-rounder Kapil Dev. He also urged the administration to take up the case of recognition of the association at the right level so that budding cricketers of the region get proper attention to hone their skill.

The Governor and Col. Judge also put down their signature on a giant greeting card, which they said, would be presented to Kapil Dev whenever he arrives here in the city. Cricket fans had put down their signatures and messages for the World Cup squad after the card went through various sectors of the city.