Source: RevSportz
The India versus Bangladesh World Cup showdown at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune put the enthusiasm and tolerance levels of the fans to the ultimate test. The process of watching cricket from the stands is not pleasant in many venues in the country. Pune ranks high among those for several reasons.
The stadium located on Mumbai-Pune expressway is around 30 kms from the heart of the city. It is connected by only one road. Public transport is minimal. Braving the heat and humidity, fans began flocking towards this place called Gahunje in the outskirts of the city as early as 10 am. The scheduled start was at 2 pm.
A Thread on Mismanagement of Maharashtra Cricket Association. We thank you @RRPSpeaks for this match in Pune but you must look at below chaos to improve in future. (1/n)
— Shashank Bhalekar (@TheShaStories) October 19, 2023
Reaching the stadium was just the beginning of a long ordeal. The parking area for fans was at least a kilometre away, demanding a long trek on a dirt track, which was especially challenging for the elderly and the differently able. A dedicated shuttle made things easier for the media. A select few of the 33K-plus that turned up had parking stickers. Life for the rest was a walk under a blazing sun.
The gates opened around noon. There were massive queues at the entrances. Fans were subjected to thorough frisking, which required them to repeatedly display tickets and belongings to the security personnel. Layers of checking delayed the proceedings. The situation was such that fans were stuck in long lines even at 3:30 pm, an hour and-a-half after the match had begun.
Overcrowding scenes outside the MCA stadium in Pune.
A friend is there with his dad. This walk amongst a sea of crowd was super anxious and they could only get in the stadium by 2:40 pm.
Video courtesy – @sehwagism pic.twitter.com/Rf4CaMbdXp
— Vipul (@Sporty_Baba) October 19, 2023
Believe it or not, there was no respite inside the stadium. Large portions of the stands do not have shades. The paying public had no choice but to sit there and bear the heat for several hours without cover above their heads. Authorities here say ‘this will be resolved’ each time Pune hosts a match. That promise is as old as the stinky washrooms.
The collective effect of all this was too much. There were talks that a couple of fans fainted outside the stadium. Thankfully, there was nothing serious. The passion of the fans remained undeterred. They continued to egg on the Indian team. In another world, they should have been given an ovation for supporting their heroes despite all the trouble.
The post Dedicated fans brave harsh conditions to show faith in Men in Blue appeared first on RevSportz | Latest Sports News.
The India versus Bangladesh World Cup showdown at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune put the enthusiasm and tolerance levels of the fans to the ultimate test. The process…
The post Dedicated fans brave harsh conditions to show faith in Men in Blue appeared first on RevSportz | Latest Sports News.
