Kolkata: BCCI had asked all the state associations who would be hosting test matches in the coming one year during India’s home series to set up a plan on now to attract crowd for all the five days of a Test match.
As per the BCCI guidelines, CAB Joint secretary Avishek Dalmiya has set up a power point presentation of the steps they are planning to build up in the second test match against New Zealand in September. Eden gardens will be hosting a test match between India and New Zealand after a span of 50 years.
Earlier, BCCI used to allot an amount of Rs. 2 crore to each and every test match hosting association but from now onward they would be paying an amount of Rs. 1cr 70 lakhs and the remaining amount of Rs.30 lakhs would be added to another amount of Rs.30 lakhs and would be deposited to another account of the test match hosting association. This 60 lakhs would only be utilised for the folowing steps which would be newly incurred to draw public attraction on a test match.
Following are the important steps CAB is likely to take ahead of the test match against the Kiwis:
i) Providing free wi-fi throughout the game and SMS the scoreboard faclity. To open a facebook page and twitter accounts with best posts and tweets reflecting on the giant screen.
ii) To use the tea-breaks for the interactions with former international cricketers. They can directly ask questions live and since the audio and video systems would be synchronised, replies would be at instant as well.
iii) To have selfie booths where spectators can have photographs clicked with the trophy. However, they would need to get registered online.
iv) Trivia and various statistics could be displayed on various LED screen to make it more interactive.
v) To earmark a certain amount as a special fund for the promotion of Test cricket and to carry out promotional activities.
vi) To start an initiative named as ‘Fans of the Eden’ and create a platform where fans could get themselves registered. By doing so, registered fans get a printed certificate stating that he/she is a true fan of the game.
CAB has also plans for the kids too who would not get bored watching a full day of a test match. Various interesting activities are being implied for the kids too:
a) A kids arena (indoor facility could be used)
b) Distribution of whistles, big foam hands, clap sticks and caps to the kids.
c) Face painting arrangements.
d) Usage of bowling machine in the indoor facility.
e) To play local bands during lunch breaks.
f) If it’s anyone birthday, they may be shown on the big screen on submission of authentic documents.