Why BCCI / India is the most spectator unfriendly place to hold sporting events
The real tragedy is that past experience strongly advises you not to go but the head, not for the first time, gets over-ruled by the heart. Only to get broken once again
Here is my exhaustive, comparative analysis attending sport events in India vs abroad. Easy to see that on no attribute is India better. This obviously holds true for other events too - like music festivals etc. Happy to discuss further... ???? ?? . The sad part is things can so easily improve ??????
Did you know there was a near stampede situation outside Motera stadium, Ahmedabad, just before the final, one which led to tears amongst children, families trying to get in ? Apparently, speaking to shopkeepers around the stadium, it's a routine occurence, happens everytime there is a large throng as the cops don't know how to control / manage crowds and are unwilling to learn. While exiting too, there was a huge throng pressing against closed iron grills to enter the metro station, inadequately and rudely managed by cops, which led to my family choosing to walk directionlessly for 45 minutes, negotiate with arrogant auto drivers (despite police presence) rather than risk our lives getting in
领英推荐
I have attended several sporting events in India (numerous cricket fixtures including World Cup & IPL) and abroad (the last 7 FIFA World Cups, Ryder Cup golf twice in Europe, the Rugby World Cup in France, many cricket tournaments).
Last few years, my inviolate rule has been not to go to any fixtures in India, unless in VIP / hospitality but, of course, the heart got swept along India's seemingly invincible march to finals and I saw 4 fixtures (India vs Sri Lanka, the 2 semis and the final) in normal spectator stands. The irrefutable conclusion is that the sport bodies, state and central governments simply don't care about the 'common' spectator, they are only obsessed with the VVIPs and the TV money rolling in. They could easily improve if they spared a moment to think things through but there is no pressure to do so and it's easier to just ban items, people from doing things etc as there is zero accountability for bureaucrats, police and politicians
Absolutely agree with every point; very well presented. The comparative serves as a good roadmap for the organizers. Unfortunately, no action will be taken unless the consumers protest and stop attending maybe......
Private Credit / Equity | Investments | Capital Raising | Strategic Business Leadership
1 年Totally agree. This article needed to be written and should be amplified/ published in mainstream media! It is shocking how difficult it is for people who live overseas to buy tickets at all - let alone in advance. This is true for ipl as well - and of course the World Cup.
Legal Counsel
1 年Completely agree. This CWC was a mess in terms of scheduling, ticket sales, almost zero visiting fans and overall management. Same goes for lots of music concerts and festivals. Remember attending a day long music festival (last time for me) in BKC few years back, attended by numerous union and state ministers, MPs, MLAs, Bollywood celebs, and due VIP movement the trucks carrying drinking water couldn't reach the venue for at least 6-7 hours. And there we were standing in a ground on a Mumbai afternoon with no water (obviously we were not allowed to bring out own water) and imagine what would have happened once the water arrived at the venue. Indians (except the "VIPs" and "elite class") are trained from a young age to adjust and not to question. Till we don't collectively challenge and ask questions, this mismanagement and VIP culture will continue.
Compliance and Governance
1 年The powers that be don't pay for the tickets nor do they care for fans.... imagine we are aiming for Olympics