Bangalore, February 27: International Cricket Council CEO Haroon Lorgat today indicated that the global cricket governing body may look for various options including a centralised ticketing system to avoid skirmishes that happened in Bangalore on February 24.
Addressing the mediapersons here, Lorgat termed as unfortunate the lathicharge on cricket fans who had mobbed the ticket counters at the KSCA, scampering for a few thousand tickets that were available for public.
When asked about the system followed in Australia and New Zealand by providing a centralised system, he said ICC would consider various options.
”Those are scenes that we would not like to see. None of us would like to see that,” he said.
KSCA Hon Secretary and former Indian medium pacer Javagal Srinath said such scenes were not uncommon in Bangalore as due to the present system only a few thousand tickets were sold across the counter. ”We have to find a way out,” he pleaded seeking solutions.
”Way back in 1987, I myself had been a victim when I was denied a ticket at the counter,” Srinath said, adding, ”How is it possible to control when there are 70,000 fans out there for a mere 7,000 tickets.” ”Except for the match between England and India, tickets for other four matches are available,” he said.
Lorgat, however, said the enthusiasm showed by the fans proved the growing popularity of the game. ”I am satisfied with the response by the Indian fans even for Non-India games,” he added.
With most of the tickets reserved for sponsors, ICC and overseas visitors, besides the KSCA members, the local fans have been left to fight for over 7,000 seats only.
-Agencies