No hope for cricket

The cricket season is in full swing, but the grounds are nowhere near playable condition.

“We have played at both Paradise and Arbor Park sports grounds, but the grounds are still in the same condition,” said Quentin Ferreira.

Not only were the grounds in a deplorable state, but teams often had to mark the pitches themselves in order to play night games.

“This is not pleasant, as the guys normally finish work at 5pm and we then have to go to the grounds, where the grass has not been cut and mark the pitch,” Mr Ferreira said.

With eight teams participating in the cricket season, the cricket association has approached Newcastle High School in an attempt to keep on playing cricket.

“The municipality took Paradise Grounds away from us last season to upgrade it, but now we are in the new season and the grounds are nowhere near finished.”

Newcastle Sun sent the municipality the following media enquiry on August 26:

1. When will the cricket grounds, pitches and fencing be repaired?

2. Why have the grounds been allowed to deteriorate to such an extent?

3. Why has there been no continuous maintenance done?

4. Cricket season begins in October and at least six cricket teams have been turned away due to the condition of Paradise C and Paradise B Grounds, as well as the poor state of Arbor Park sports facilities. How does the municipality feel about the negative way the grounds have affected sports development in town?

5. Will the grounds be repaired before the start of October?

6. How can the municipality ensure that the grounds are repaired and maintained in the future?

7. What programmes are being created to support cricket development in Newcastle?

The deadline to reply to the media enquiry was Friday, August 28, at 1pm.

Despite the enquiry and continuous weekly phone calls to the municipality’s communication office, there has yet to be any form of response.