The Men’s ODI World Cup all but kickstarts on October 5, with the last edition’s finalists facing off against each other 4 years since the iconic yet controversial finale.
Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad which holds the capacity to host close to 1 lakh 30 thousand spectators got the bragging rights to host this opening match of the tournament.
The capacity of the stadium being so huge, it was actually no surprise that the tickets were not sold out. It being a weekday also played a major part in it. Non-India matches are expected to be not sold out at this venue. However, nearly 30,000-40,000 females from Ahmedabad are set to watch this iconic tournament opener from the stands. These females have been given free tickets as well as a meal coupon (tea + lunch).
Bhartiya Janata Party’s (BJP) local leaders were seen distributing the tickets and the coupons. BJP’s Vice-President of Bodakdev area Lalit Wadhavan told the Indian Express that the idea was inspired by the Women’s Reservation Bill passed in the parliament last month.
An estimated 30,000-40,000 women from across Ahmedabad to watch the opening match of the World Cup for free. 😍#CricketTwitter #CWC2023 pic.twitter.com/SsIaaGYYNp
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) October 5, 2023
He said “Around 30,000 to 40,000 women from Ahmedabad will be watching the game in the stadium tomorrow. Our volunteers have been asked to send the names and the tickets were handed to them today. These women will be reaching the stadium on their own and will be given tea and food coupons.”
This process started with the Ward Members of the BJP asking their workers to send a list of females interested in watching the match from the stands. The workers were given a time limit to send the list of interested females.
Gujarat Cricket Association’s (GCA) senior official said, “Elsewhere, schoolchildren are invited to see the game since it fills up the stadium and builds an atmosphere. The only difference here is there will be women in the stands.”
This move of encouraging more women to watch the sport could pay off really well given the fact that India will be hosting the Women’s World Cup in 2025.
(Quotes from Indian Express)
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