Women’s T20 Challenge: Opening game runs into security hurdle

The Jaipur Police has informed the Rajasthan Cricket Association that it won't be able to depute a police force for the first Women’s T20 Challenge game on May 6 as it clashes with the Lok Sabha elections.

Jaipur's Sawai Mansingh Stadium has been chosen to host all the matches of the Women's T20 Challenge.

The Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur is scheduled to host the Women's T20 Challenge, which begins on May 6. But the Jaipur Police has informed the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) that it won't be possible for them to depute police force for the first game as it clashes with the Lok Sabha elections.

"Jaipur will head to the elections on May 6, so we haven't issued a clearance to the RCA for the match, scheduled on the same day. On a day when the city heads for election, it is not possible for us to depute any police personnel for the womens cricket match," Jaipur's Commissioner of Police, Anand Srivasatava, told  Sportstar .

RELATED| Harmanpreet, Smriti and Mithali to captain sides at Women’s T20 Challenge

RCA secretary, Mahendra Nahar, confirmed that the association is yet to receive clearances for the first game.

"Four matches will be played in Jaipur and we have been able to get clearances for the last three games but due to the elections, we still haven't heard from the local authorities about the first game,"  Nahar said.

He is hopeful that things will be sorted out by next week. "We are in talks with the authorities and we are confident of getting the necessary permission by Monday. After that, we will able to prepare better for the tournament," Nahar added.

Rajasthan's Chief Electoral Officer, Anand Kumar, this publication that he hasn't heard anything on the issue.

RELATED|  Women's IPL exhibition games to be held in Jaipur

With matches lined up on May 6, 8, 9 and 11, the RCA officials are in regular contact with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). "We are also waiting to hear from BCCI about the preparation. They still haven't told us when the players would arrive and what would the match timings be," Nahar said.

The Board officials, however, made it clear that  they are monitoring the situation. "We had awarded the games to Jaipur after they assured us of getting clearances. But if there's a issue now, we have to look into it. But we are confident that there won't be any changes," one of the Board officials said.

RELATED|  Mithali Raj: ‘Right time to get in IPL for women’

The officials have also informed that the players are scheduled to assemble in Jaipur on May 2 and start training from the next day. It has been learned that the first couple of games will start at 8pm, while the final could be played from 4pm. However, there is no official word from the Board yet.