Billed as cricket’s most anticipated spectacle of the year, the World Cup 2023, hosted by India, got off to a disappointing start. The turnout for the opening match at the world’s biggest cricket arena ” the Narendra Modi Stadium at Ahmedabad ” was a paltry 15-16 thousand against the capacity of 1,32,000. Empty stands greeted players as England clashed with New Zealand, and the match outcome was not a matter of discussion.
Players, experts and sports enthusiasts were left baffled. Questions were thrown all around, and the media was abuzz with the flop response. In a post on social media, England women’s cricketer Danni Wyatt asked, “Where’s the crowd?” Her Indian counterpart Jemimah Rodrigues responded, “The crowd is waiting for the India-Pakistan match on October 14”.
The banter on Twitter handles reflected a grim reality staring in the face of a sport synonymous with India. Questions are now asked whether crowds are drifting away from the 50-over format, with the T20 offering better entertainment, or whether the organisers bungled in ticket sales that inconvenienced fans, especially global visitors. Is it the sultry weather, or is it that the interest is hovering around the home team? Incidentally, the second match between Pakistan and The Netherlands did not draw encouraging crowds either. One may find this very strange in a country which is accustomed to having packed crowds for cricket matches.
Incidentally, in 2011, when India played host, the tournament opened to a colourful and extravagant show that saw a galaxy of music stars perform ahead of the first match. This glamour quotient is historically attached to the cup. This time, none of that glitz was on display, and the Captains’ Day kicked off the World Cup.
Cut across to the National Games that Goa is hosting from October 26. The government has announced grandiose plans with Prime Minister Narendra Modi flying in to inaugurate the event at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda. Decks are cleared, the infrastructure is just about up and ready, and the State appears to be set for the grand stage.
While we are in for a lot of sporting action right from the word go, the excitement of the games is yet to kick in. Goa will be in focus for more than one reason. Leave aside the success stories of the State athletes; since there is not much of an expectation, the question would be about crowds at venues. Athletes playing to empty stands like the World Cup opener would be embarrassing again.
If we recall, when Goa hosted the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup last October, the turnout was dismal, with the Nehru stadium literally empty. This time, though, the government has rescheduled Diwali holidays to match the Games schedule, hoping for a better turnout. The question again would be whether that will work, especially against the backdrop of low interest in the games and Goa’s below-par performance.
The success of any sporting event is not in the infrastructure or the hospitality but in the turnout at venues. Athletes need people at the stadiums and venues as much as organisers. For Goa, there is a lot at stake ” from showing Goa, performing better, and justifying the move to bring the games to Goa.
