DDCA plans invites Arvind Kejriwal as chief guest for fourth India vs South Africa Test

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

The DDCA is planning to invite Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal as the chief guest for the fourth Test between India and South Africa even as uncertainity surrounds whether the Ferozeshah Kotla stadium will even host the game.

The BCCI has said it would shift the match, scheduled to be held on December 3, to Pune if the DDCA if Delhi doesn’t ‘bring all necessary permission.The DDCA is currently entangled in non-payment of Entertainment Tax which is recovered from the state government and an assessment order had directed them to pay Rs 24.45 crore.

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With the BCCI having given them until November 17 to sort out their problems, the DDCA is pinning its hopes on Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal to give them the “go-ahead” for hosting the match.

“Mr Arvind Kejriwal will be the chief guest for the 4th Test. We are hoping for a good Diwali gift from the CM on Wednesday as we are hopeful of getting extension on the entertainment tax issue. As soon as we get that there shouldn’t be any obstacle in Delhi hosting the Test. All we need is CM’s go-ahead,” says Ravinder Manchanda, DDCA treasurer.

Seeking meeting

DDCA officials were trying since Tuesday morning to have a meeting with the Delhi Chief Minister but Kejriwal’s schedule didn’t allow the desperate officials a window. Kejriwal didn’t meet the officials but it’s learnt that there was an internal meeting where the issue was discussed at length. Manchanda informs that he has submitted the required documents and they were examined during the meeting.

Aware of the fact that a mere extension doesn’t resolve the entertainment tax issue, Manchanda says, “We know that but right now we need some time. We will then sit and decide what options we have at hand. We don’t match the match to suffer. As I have said in the past, it’s matter of pride for us to host an international match. Also, there is the expected India-Pakistan World T20 match too. So all that is on our mind and we are hopeful on sorting out everything.”