Hyderabad, Nov. 7: The Hyderabad Cricket Association may be grappling with dwindling fortunes of the state team in the Ranji Trophy but is making all efforts to draw crowds to the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium during the November 12-16 second Test between India and New Zealand.
“Among the enhanced facilities for the spectators this time around is free supply of mineral water,” HCA president Arshad Ayub told this newspaper.
“They will also have the benefit of replays of interesting moments from the game via the giant screen that would be installed at the ground. In addition to that, two huge scoreboards, one LED and the other manual, will come up at the West and East stands respectively,” Arshad said.
Also, the tickets have been reasonably priced keeping the general public in mind. “The lowest priced daily ticket is `100 while a season ticket (for all five days of the Test) costs `300. School children can avail a 50 per cent concession too,” Arshad informed.
The HCA is expecting an attendance of 15,000 to 20,000, at least on the first three days which fall at the weekend.
In an attempt to avoid overcrowding at entry points, the HCA has installed about 60 turnstiles at all the inner gates. The waist-high three-armed fall-down turnstiles are a permanent fixture and “will facilitate 1,000 entries an hour,” according to Sivaramakrishna, assistant manager of Skidata, the manufacturing company.
“Also, the number of persons present inside the stadium can be known in an instant as these machines are connected to a central monitor.”
Built with Austrian technology, the machines block entry for duplicate ticket holders. “They will set off a beep on detecting fraud, alerting the security personnel to apprehend the offender,” Sivaramakrishna said.
Work is on at full swing to spruce up the stadium. Landscaping is being taken up to beautify the place and give the spectators a good feel. “Our dressing rooms too are renowned in the country, and are praised by the players. We will make them even better,” Arshad said.
Hyderabad is hosting a Test match after 22 years — the last game was in December 1988, in which India defeated New Zealand by10 wickets. To celebrate the occasion, the HCA plans to honour all its Test cricketers by installing cutout standees of them around the stadium. All Test players from Hyderabad have been invited for the match. “Some of them live away from the city and abroad — Narasimha Rao (Ireland), Abid Ali (USA), Govindraj (UK), Jayantilal (Delhi) and Abbas Ali Baig (Delhi) to name a few. We plan to bring them to the game on an all-expenses paid arrangement,” Arshad said, adding, “However, MAK Pataudi has not yet confirmed his trip.”
“Some of them are no more — Ghulam Ahmed, M.L. Jaisimha, P. Krishnamurthy and S.M. Hussain. We will remember them and acknowledge their contribution to Hyderabad cricket on the occasion,” Arshad informed.
Pic Caption:
Maintenance personnel check the newly-installed turnstiles at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad.