BCCI wants venues to shape up or ship out

BCCI is seeking to provide the unmatched fan experience during the home season. © BCCI





In the hype of the announcement of the 'Mini-IPL' recently, a key piece of information which went unnoticed was BCCI's genuine attempt to improve the experience of the Indian cricket fan.
While many new, impressive cricket stadiums have sprung up in India in recent years, little has changed for the spectator, who still has to endure shabby conditions once he/she enters the ground to watch a game. It can be safely said that the administrators have thus far taken the Indian cricket fan for granted. From this season, though, things might finally change for the better. You may be able to buy a ticket for a match of your choice well in advance, and may not encounter a filthy toilet once inside the stadium. For the first time, you may see advertisements ushering in Indian cricket's home season, just like it happens in the IPL.
At its Working Committee on Friday (June 24) in Dharamshala, the BCCI announced that it will enter into 'venue agreements' with the associations hosting international matches in the coming season, which will see India host as many as 13 Tests, eight ODIs, and three T20 Internationals. "The BCCI will define these state associations' roles and responsibilities and establish the minimum standards required," said a release after the meeting.
As per this agreement, a state association will basically need to guarantee that it can provide decent facilities for hygiene (toilet facilities, food arrangements), ensure that the seats are numbered, the facilities for media are good, and provide a plan as to how it plans to market its match, in terms of advertising, putting out banners, creating on-ground activation, and creating awareness about the match in its own city, to selling tickets for it.
"Basically, it is no longer your right to host a match. You've to earn that right," said an official. All the associations hosting Tests this season have already been asked for a presentation about how they plan to go about hosting and marketing the game allotted to them. "Meeting this criteria may be difficult for a few other associations, but we've give our presentation and are ready with our plan," said a state association official.
According to sources, if venues fail to match the above-mentioned criteria, they may end up losing the match allotted to them. To help these associations, the BCCI is ready to engage a few centrally-contracted agencies, who will look after the ticketing, hygiene standards and marketing of matches in India during the upcoming season.