In a swift move to counter the demand to cancel the October 26 India-Australia ODI at the Barabati Stadium here in view of the recent cyclone and floods, the maverick Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) secretary Asirbad Behera on Saturday announced that the association would give Rs 1 crore to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to strengthen the CM’s hand in rehabilitating the affected people of the twin tragedies.
The Kalinga Sena is demanding cancellation of the match stating that when over one crore people of the State are now suffering due to cyclone and floods, it would not be prudent to host such a match in the State at these hours of crises. Without, however, joining issue with the Sena, Behera said the OCA in no way less concerned about the recent sufferings of the people.
Speaking to reporters here on Saturday detailing about the preparations for the match, Behera informed that OCA is likely to get around Rs 5.5 crore from sale proceeds of the match tickets and sponsorships. “Since the State is now battered by the furies of nature, we would take all measures of austerity in conducting the match and the entire unspent amount would be given to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund,” Behera said, adding that the OCA’s contribution could be between Rs 75 lakh and Rs 1 crore.
Meanwhile, working in war footing manner the OCA is now all set to host the next week’s match and promises for an enthralling and entertaining match at the Cuttack venue. While online ticket sales for the match had begun for over a week now, the counter sale of them would begin from Sunday, Behera said.
Stressing on the security aspect of restricting unauthorized entry into the stadium on match day, Behera said a three-tier ticket checking provision has been made in all the 14 gates of the stadium. Apart from adequate police arrangements as promised by the State Government, the association has requisitioned the services of 300 private security personnel to check the tickets, which have bar codes on them.
“More than 250 CCTVs will also be fitted in and around the stadium and these would be monitored by the city police from two control rooms in order keep a strong vigil on crowd and to take measures to maintain law and order during the match,” Behera said.