Cricket’s new home is TNCA’s pride
The TNCA may quietly walk away with the award for the best administration of World Cup events. While mayhem has prevailed in sale of tickets to the general public in Mumbai and Bengaluru, things have been hunky-dory in Chennai.
“The usual quota for club cricketers has been reduced but we have still managed to provide tickets to those who are connected with the game. I am sure the public will understand our constraints when it comes to an ICC event,” said a senior official of the TNCA.
Long before enthusiasm for the World Cup reached a fever pitch, TNCA had drawn up plans to sell almost a third of the stadium capacity to the cricket-loving public. Many of those willing to stand in line at the counters were rewarded for their patience.
The capacity of the stadium has come down by a few thousands. But this was done only to improve facilities. “The new structure allows better catering facilities, spacious and hygienic washrooms. Problems surrounding parking has also been taken care of. The extra space made available by the architecturally modern structures and the parking area procured from the nearby MRTS railway station will make life easy,” added the official.
Tickets were reserved for cricket enthusiasts who are associated with the TNCA. This would have come out of the quota for the public but no one can crib because the tickets are actually used by regulars who make it a point to buy a ticket and watch every event at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.
A minor wall collapse was made out to be a major disaster at the ticket sale to the public held well in advance of the matches. The collapse happened because of ticket seekers standing on the old wall and had little to do with organizational skills. The area surrounding the Gopalan Gate has received a facelift and old compound walls are also being rebuilt.
In fact, the TNCA is returning to roots in smooth conduct of events that it used to be so proud of. The players, coaches and team staff have never had complaints against an association that went out of the way to take care of their requirements while they concentrated on their game.
With the brand new sections lending a bright look, the stadium is looking dapper and needs a close and exciting game to bring the venue alive. This may happen at the first big game, which is the one between England and South Africa to be played next week.
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