Snicko
Member
Hi everyone,
I want to draw your attention to a shocking development over here in Germany, which seriously threatens the future of the game here.
The situation is as follows:
Cricket has been played on the Körnerplatz in Charlottenburg, Berlin for over 40 years (and cricket has been played for well over a century). Teams and players from all over the world have played here, and continue to do so in 10 teams based in Berlin (Bundesliga-Ost) Here is a pic in all its glory...
It thus came as a shock to hear that the Olympiaparkverwaltung (the owners of the Olympiastadium complex) have revoked our right to play on the Körnerplatz. The official reason given for this was "worries about the safety of people and vehicles passing by the field". The fact that not one person has been hit in years of matches there was apparently not important.
The authorities are trying to control entrance to the grounds by making people buy tickets. This is the real reason behind removing the pitch. It is sad that a sporting facility so stooped in history and so attractive to Berlin's tourism industry should be used for profit.
Despite the fact that this process is ongoing and no final decision has been made, the central batting strip at the Körnerplatz was ripped out and dug up last week, as were the practice nets. New seeds have been laid, so it is obvious that cricket is not wanted here. The Berlin Cricket Committee was not informed of this until after it took place, and were given no right of appeal or consultation.
The current German champions, BCC, now have no opportunity to defend their title, and 10 cricket teams have nowhere to go, just two weeks before training was due to start.
Please help us fight this decision, we have set up a Facebook page under the following link to show the amount of support from all over the world. Please take a second to join and share with your friends (cricket lovers or otherwise).
Save the Körnerplatz!
There is also a letter there to send to the appropriate authorities, plus a translation and the e-mail addresses.
We are also meeting on Friday 8th April at 14:00 at the Körnerplatz for an interview with RBB television...will keep you posted.
Thank you all on behalf of all Berlin cricketers
Mark
I want to draw your attention to a shocking development over here in Germany, which seriously threatens the future of the game here.
The situation is as follows:
Cricket has been played on the Körnerplatz in Charlottenburg, Berlin for over 40 years (and cricket has been played for well over a century). Teams and players from all over the world have played here, and continue to do so in 10 teams based in Berlin (Bundesliga-Ost) Here is a pic in all its glory...
It thus came as a shock to hear that the Olympiaparkverwaltung (the owners of the Olympiastadium complex) have revoked our right to play on the Körnerplatz. The official reason given for this was "worries about the safety of people and vehicles passing by the field". The fact that not one person has been hit in years of matches there was apparently not important.
The authorities are trying to control entrance to the grounds by making people buy tickets. This is the real reason behind removing the pitch. It is sad that a sporting facility so stooped in history and so attractive to Berlin's tourism industry should be used for profit.
Despite the fact that this process is ongoing and no final decision has been made, the central batting strip at the Körnerplatz was ripped out and dug up last week, as were the practice nets. New seeds have been laid, so it is obvious that cricket is not wanted here. The Berlin Cricket Committee was not informed of this until after it took place, and were given no right of appeal or consultation.
The current German champions, BCC, now have no opportunity to defend their title, and 10 cricket teams have nowhere to go, just two weeks before training was due to start.
Please help us fight this decision, we have set up a Facebook page under the following link to show the amount of support from all over the world. Please take a second to join and share with your friends (cricket lovers or otherwise).
Save the Körnerplatz!
There is also a letter there to send to the appropriate authorities, plus a translation and the e-mail addresses.
We are also meeting on Friday 8th April at 14:00 at the Körnerplatz for an interview with RBB television...will keep you posted.
Thank you all on behalf of all Berlin cricketers
Mark
