LUCKNOW, July 5 -- Hosting an international match seems to be a distant dream for one of the oldest Test centres in India, the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur. This is because its revamp is yet to start, and once that happens, it is expected to take at least two years to complete. There was much hue and cry when the International Cricket Council (ICC) awarded one demerit point to the venue after not a single ball could be bowled on the first three days of the Test match between India and Bangladesh even though there was rain in September last. The reason for this was a 'wet outfield' due to the overnight rains. Besides other problems, the drainage system was choked. Despite hurricane efforts put in by the stadium authorities, the situation remains deplorable. As expected, the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association once again came up with a big plan about revamping of the stadium and even BCCI's vice-president and former secretary of the UPCA, Rajiv Shukla promised to take up the issue on a war footing. But in reality even after nine months since September's 'hotchpotch' during the Test match, nothing serious has been done so far about the revamp. Immediately after this, a meeting of the UPCA and the district administration in Kanpur discussed the issue in presence of the officials of the Uttar Pradesh Sports Directorate, which owns the stadium. And that is how far things proceeded. "Even if the revamp of the stadium begins today, it will take not less than two years to get ready," UPCA secretary Arvind Kumar Srivastava said. "We have held discussions on this only last week and it has been decided that the UPCA will make a plan for the revamp of the stadium and will submit it to the government for further action," he added. However, he promised that all expenses for the making of the plan will be borne by the UPCA. "Yes, UPCA will pay the architect and design consultants etc, and we hope to get the detailed project report soon," he said, adding, "The construction cost will be borne by the state government as the stadium belongs to them." It is learnt that the Green Park stadium has been leased out to the UPCA under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the conduct of the national and international matches and for that the UPCA is paying Rs 1.25 crore to the state government, besides paying match fee as per their stature. The UPCA officials, who are managing the day-to-day affairs of the UPCA at the Green Park Stadium, said that an initial project of revamping of the stadium worth Rs 250 crore was submitted directly to the office of the principal secretary (sports) almost three months back, but there was no response then. In fact, the issue saw the light of day when Member of Parliament from Kanpur, Ramesh Awasthi launched a special campaign to save the Green Park Stadium. "Green Park Stadium is the pride of Kanpur and we all should fight for its survival," he said a few months back. "The revamp of Green Park Stadium is included in the priorities of the chief minister Yogi Adityanath ji. It is a sports heritage not only of Kanpur but of the entire country," Awasthi said during a meeting of the authorities concerned last week. He also emphasised on increasing the spectator capacity of the stadium, upgradation of drainage system, renovation of media center, multi-level parking, provision of special facilities for elderly and 'divyangjan' spectators. Awasthi suggested that the stadium should be developed as an "All Weather Stadium", so that sports activities can continue throughout the year. Instructions were also given to establish better coordination between the UP sports Directorate, UPCA and the administration by appointing a nodal officer and to provide progress reports to the divisional commissioner from time to time. Also, it was said to adopt the tender process for the selection of the construction agency. However, divisional commissioner K Vijyendra Pandian directed UPCA to prepare the DPR soon and ensure action as per rules to re-establish the stadium at international level. He said that UPCA should hold a meeting with the architects to ensure that the proposed stadium is prepared with a futuristic design in accordance with future requirements....