It's no longer your right to host a match. You've to earn that right: BCCI

The Board of Control for Cricket In India (BCCI), at its Working Committee on Friday (June 24) in Dharamshala, announced that it will enter into ‘venue agreements’ with the state associations hosting international matches in the coming season. India is set to host a total of 13 Tests, eight ODIs, and three T20Is.

As per this agreement, a state association will need to guarantee decent facilities for hygiene (toilet facilities, food arrangements), ensure that the seats are numbered, the facilities for media are good, and provide a plan as to how it plans to market its match, in terms of advertising, putting out banners, creating on-ground activation, and creating awareness about the match in its own city, to selling tickets.

“The BCCI will define these state associations’ roles and responsibilities and establish the minimum standards required,” said a release after the meeting.

“Basically, it is no longer your right to host a match. You’ve to earn that right,” said an official. All the associations hosting Tests this season have already been asked for a presentation about how they plan to go about hosting and marketing the game allotted to them. “Meeting this criteria may be difficult for a few other associations, but we’ve give our presentation and are ready with our plan,” said a state association official.

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According to sources, if venues fail to match the above-mentioned criteria, they may end up losing the match allotted to them. To help these associations, the BCCI is ready to engage a few centrally-contracted agencies, who will look after the ticketing, hygiene standards and marketing of matches in India during the upcoming season.

It is indeed a very good move by the BCCI. Despite new stadiums been built in recent years, the spectators have to deal with the same traditional issues at the venue like poor maintenance and improper seating. This move, however, may bring respite to the on-stadium viewers and elevates their match experience.