CUTTACK 10-Oct-2014 86
Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) is making elaborate preparation for the successful staging of the one-off T20 International between India and West Indies here at Barabati Stadium on October 22. ``Though we have hosted 18 ODIs and several IPL matches since 1982, this is the first time that a T20 International will take place at Barabati. Preparation is going on in full swing and we are confident of making the event a grand success,`` said OCA secretary Asirbad Behera in a press conference here on today.
Both the teams will arrive in Bhubaneswar on October 21 and stay at city hotel Mayfair Lagoon, where the BCCI has booked more than 80 rooms. Two AC coaches will be transporting the players from Bhubaneswar to Cuttack and back, under police protection.
The OCA secretary expected a full-house for the ensuing match. ``Barabati has a seating capacity of about 45,000, but we have decided to print 44,430 tickets. I am sure, the match will draw a full house,`` he said.
Out of the total tickets, 20,350 will be sold to public at Barabati counters from October 19 to 21, while 12,640 tickets will be reserved for sale to BCCI sponsors, members, affiliated units of BCC and OCA on October 16 and 17. The remaining 11,440 tickets will be distributed as complementary passes.
Online sale of tickets is going on through the website www.ticketgenie.in since October 5. Out of 7,000 tickets earmarked for the purpose, 2,700 have already been sold. Redemption of E-tickets will take place at Cambridge School, near Barabati Stadium on October 20 and 21.
According to the OCA secretary, this being the first T20 International, prices of tickets have been reduced. Denomination of tickets include Rs 400 (Gallery No 6 and 7), Rs 500 (Gallery No 1 to 4), Rs 1,500 (Special Enclosure), Rs 2,000 (Corporate Gallery), Rs 3,000 (New Pavilion), Rs 4,000 (AC Box) and Rs 6,000 (Corporate Box).
Supplied by Hyderabad-based Ticketgenie Solutions Pvt Ltd, all the tickets will bear holograms, bar code and other security features. In order to prevent illegal occupancy of seats, OCA will also introduce wrist bands for holders of higher denomination tickets.
Spectators will be allowed to carry dry food and water bottles, containing one liter or more. Water pouch and fruits will be strictly prohibited. In order to prevent unruly spectators from throwing objects to the ground, plastic nets will be installed in front of all the galleries.
As many as 68 CCTV cameras will be installed in and outside the stadium so that every movement will be recorded for security purpose. OCA has planned to insure the match for Rs 20 crore and identifying the insurance company as well as signing of agreement will be completed within a couple of days. According to Behera, OCA will pay Rs 13 lakh as premium.
Though rain hampered the ground preparation work on Friday, OCA secretary expressed hope that the approaching cyclone would not affect the smooth conduct of the Cuttack match.
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PHOTO: OCA secretary Asirbad Behera (Centre) at the press conference along with joint-secretary Sanjib Dutta (Left) and treasurer Satya Mohanty in Cuttack on Oct 10, 2014.
