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Secretary of the Board for Control of Cricket in India, Jay Shah, has addressed the various delays and hiccups regarding the tickets and schedule of the upcoming ODI World Cup in India. The schedule was announced four months before the marquee 50-over tournament was announced on June 27 which was revised on August 10.
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Similarly, the release and dissemination of tickets have also been heavily scrutinized by the fans. Firstly, the tickets for the World Cup were delayed which led to an exponential rise in the increase of travel and accommodation costs in the host cities. Similarly, the released tickets weren’t available for a large majority, leaving many unhappy.
Addressing these issues, Jay Shah talked cited the ‘operational challenges’ of the participating teams and ‘broadcast requirements’ as the key reasons behind the delay. While speaking to Sportstar, Shah said, “The delay has been primarily caused by the need to ensure that the tournament schedule aligns with various logistical and participating members’ operational challenges and broadcast requirements. As a result, the BCCI has been working diligently to finalise all aspects of the tournament, including venue availability, team schedules, and other essential arrangements.”
Jay Shah, further, talked about the measures taken by the BCCI to to overcome the logistical and scheduling problems. The BCCI Secretary provided a nine-point plan followed by the board regarding these issues.
Shah stated, “A. Meticulous planning: BCCI’s extensive planning includes selecting suitable venues, coordinating with local authorities, and aligning with the International Cricket Council (ICC) guidelines.
B. Venue selection: ICC carefully selects venues to ensure they meet the required standards for facilities, infrastructure, and logistics. The venues are chosen strategically to provide optimal travel connectivity and accommodation options for teams, officials, and fans.
C. Weather contingencies: India’s diverse climate necessitates having robust weather contingency plans. Flexibility in scheduling, reserve days, and modern weather prediction technologies are utilised to mitigate disruptions.
D. Collaboration with local authorities: Close collaboration with local authorities, including law enforcement agencies and government bodies, is essential to ensure security, crowd management, and smooth operations around the venues.
E. Effective communication: Clear and timely communication with all stakeholders, including teams, players, broadcasters, sponsors, and fans, helps in managing expectations and addressing any unforeseen issues promptly.
F. Infrastructure development: BCCI invests in upgrading and maintaining facilities at venues, including playing surfaces, dressing rooms, media facilities, and spectator amenities.
G. Technological solutions: Utilising technology for ticketing, live updates, and match scheduling allows fans and stakeholders to stay informed and engaged. Digital platforms also assist in addressing last-minute changes or updates.
H. Transport and accommodation: BCCI works closely with travel and hospitality partners to ensure seamless transportation and comfortable accommodation for teams, officials, and broadcasters.
I. Experience and expertise: BCCI’s experience in hosting various domestic and international cricket events over the years provides valuable insights into managing logistics and scheduling challenges.”
