Empty stadiums a cause of concern; lack of facilities the main reason

If you are a cricket enthusiast and an avid reader, you wouldn’t have missed Sanjay Manjrekar‘s hard-hitting article that focused on the issue of dwindling viewer interest and how the Indian audience ought to get their ‘bums on seats.’ It pinches to see that this lovely sport has lost a major chunk of its followers over the last few years, owing to various reasons. It hurts more, especially if you’ve spent a sizable part of your childhood relishing cricket, and hoping to be a part of this undying frenzy when you grow up. I remember following each and every match enthusiastically, keeping my own score-sheet, and cutting schedules of important upcoming series from the newspapers and sticking it on the walls of my room and doors of the cupboard, much to my mom’s dismay. Such was the fervor a few years ago.

Unfortunately, all that frenzy has deteriorated exponentially over the last few years. Consider this example – In 2005, cricket lovers had to stand in the queue overnight to buy tickets for an India-South Africa game at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Hyderabad. They did that again for an India-Australia encounter a couple of years later in 2007. In 2009, when India was to face Austalia yet again at the same venue, getting tickets wasn’t a big deal even a day before the game. However, the stadium was jam-packed on the day of the match and the Hyderabadi spectators were treated to a visual delight by the little master as he scored a magnificent 175 albeit in a losing cause. Now here’s the sad part – When India faced England at Hyderabad a few days ago, it was a shocker to see empty stands at the stadium. Tickets, that were once considered as valuable as an oasis in the desert (at least in India and surely an average Indian cricket fan like me will testify to that), hardly had any takers this time around. To add insult to injury, the remaining four One-day Internationals against England at various other venues saw half-empty stadiums as well.

It is an obvious fact that factors like viewer-fatigue, exorbitant ticket prices, scandals and the rise of interest in other sports have contributed in varying proportions to this decline in viewership. For a TV viewer, an empty stadium while watching cricket is an immediate turn-off. Sanjay Manjrekar aptly put it when he said, “TV viewers get put off when they see empty stands in the background; they take it as an indication that what they are watching is not that fancy.”

So why really are the spectators willing to give the stadium a miss ? Sticking to the example of Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Hyderabad, I can say that I’ve watched a lot of matches (Domestic & International) at this venue, and to be honest the experience hasn’t been first-rate. No food or Water-bottles are to be taken inside. Not just that, you aren’t even allowed to take a mobile phone inside. So where do the two-wheeler riders put their cellphones? (it has never been mentioned that cellphones are prohibited). Young audience can adjust but older people are certainly bound to have some qualms. Although its understandable that security concerns prevent you from taking any kind of materials inside, overpricing of food and basic necessities, like water, is a big turn-off. Why would somebody be willing to spend their money just to be ill-treated ?

The reasons for low a turnout at most of the venues predominantly turned out to be the lack of basic facilities, at least based on the reaction within the social media. Here are some of the comments that describe the actual scenario quite vividly -

“No food allowed inside the stadium, no binoculars, no water-bottles, and in Nagpur there are no hotels outside where you can eat – so we only have to eat at the ground, where the prices are unbelievably high. Sit in the blazing sun for 5 days without food, after blowing away your month’s salary buying these costly tickets, going 16 kms away from the city everyday for five days to watch a test, where teams pile on runs on flat surfaces ? Sorry !”, said one cricket lover.

“I think the major issue is not exactly the price of the tickets but the facilities that we as spectators and fans receive for that price is ridiculous. I would not mind paying more for better facilities but why should I spend thousands for crappy facilities. I dont think the price of the tickets is an issue. Recently Formula-1 tickets were sold at 35000 per head and it was a huge success. Its the lack of good facilities that is a major problem.”, said another.

So quite unanimously, the primary issue is the indifferent treatment dished out to the spectators. Until this is rectified, the stands will continue to wear a deserted look, and the sales of tickets at least in India, will dwindle further once the maestro gets his much-hyped hundredth ton. Only a foolish man will be willing to give up the comfort and luxury of watching the game on the television with replays and commentary when he is certain that the facilities at the stadium will disappoint and isn’t worth his money.

Gone are the days when the authorities can take it for granted that the spectators will come regardless of the kind of treatment meted out to them. With rise of interest in other sports, cricket’s head-honchos will have to turn on their creativity switch if they are to lure or woo cricket lovers to the stadium in the near future. Else, the downward spiral is sure to continue.