Dalai Lama to grace IPL match in Dharamsala

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

TNN
By Gaurav Kanthwal
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Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Prem Kumar Dhumal shares some cricketing tips with His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the HPCA ground, December 17, 2008 File photo/phayul/Tenzin Dasel

CHANDIGARH : Even as the picturesque hill town of Dharamsala embarks on a new cricketing journey next month, an auspicious omen has brought cheers to the local crowd.

Just before Kings XI Punjab take on Chennai Super Kings on April 18 in the first IPL game to be hosted by the town, there would be a surprise guest - His Holiness Dalai Lama - to grace a ceremony at the newly-built stadium.

The secretary to His Holiness, Tenzin Takhla, said, "The Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) had sent an invitation to our office a few days ago and His Holiness has confirmed his presence for the IPL match."

HPCA spokesperson Sanjay Sharma said, "We had sent the invite as a goodwill gesture. He is the inspirational head of a sizeable community of the hill town and we would be privileged to have his presence here when a new chapter begins in the history of Dharamsala."