BCCI fails to make security arrangements for New Zealand warm-up game

The Board of Control for Cricket (BCCI) in India has once again hit the headlines as they failed to make security arrangements for the warm-up game of New Zealand on Tuesday. The fans were not allowed inside the stadium to watch their favourite players during the first warm-up game between the Kiwis and Indian Board President XI. There was a rush of around thousand-odd spectators outside the Brabourne Stadium but they were asked to return as there were no security equipments available.

Before each game especially when an international team is involved, local police hold a meeting with the officials of the ground where the match is scheduled which is attended by one of the members of the board as well. They chalk out the plan in order to ensure the smooth conduct of the game for the spectators and the players both. But this time BCCI failed to coordinate on security logistics with Mumbai Police.

BCCI didn’t provide us with security equipments

The Deputy Commissioner of Mumbai Police (Zone -1) Manoj Sharma cleared that BCCI did not provide them with security related equipment which they had requested to the board. “Whenever any match takes place the association or BCCI provides specific equipment — scanners, CCTV cameras and other security related items. We provide them with man-power. Before the game we had asked for certain things which BCCI couldn’t provide. So keeping the security in mind we decided not to allow any spectators inside the ground,” Sharma told Indian Express.

It has also been reported that the Cricket Club of India (CCI) had thrice written letters to BCCI and Committee of Administrators (CoA) to seek clarity with regards to the security arrangements. But they never received any reply from either of the two recipients. However, it is also learnt that many in the board argue that doesn’t earn any money through these warm-up games and hence they expect police to do the job free of cost.