Historic Thalassery maidan gets a rebirth

KOZHIKODE: Thalassery Maidan has over two hundred years of rich cricketing history believed to be dating back to the 1790’s when Lord Arthur Wellesley, later known as Lord Wellington who defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo, introduced the game in this coastal town. One of the oldest cricket clubs in India, Thalassery Town Cricket Club was born here in 1860 and Kerala tasted their first ever Ranji Trophy victory in 1963 on this ground. The ground, which was in a dilapidated condition till recently, is now getting a new lease of life with ongoing renovation work nearing completion.

Interestingly despite having a historical connection, there will not be any facility for cricket to be played here as the game already has a dedicated ground owned by the Kerala Cricket Association at Cono Vayal, a couple of kilometers away from the Stadium. The stadium renovation has been taken up by Uralungal Labour Co-Operative Society (ULCCS) for Rs four crore from the MLA fund and state government aid.

The renovation aims at extending all possible facilities to play various sports except cricket.  The work is under the supervision of the sports and youth welfare department. The work of the basketball court near the Maidan is also progressing along with the ground. Once completed, the Stadium can host various state-level and national level events in hockey, football, and basketball etc.

However the spat between the revenue and Thalassery municipality over the ground is still not settled with both claiming ownership of the ground.  Though the Ground is under the Revenue department according to records, the Thalassery Municipality is claiming authority over the land.  “We have requested the state government to give us the ownership. After renovation work, we hope, there will be a positive response from the government,” said Thalassery Municipal Chairman C.K Rameshan.