MCA Stadium, Pune to be dynamic part of IPL 2017: MCA President Abhay Apte

The MCA Stadium, or the Gahunje stadium, in Pune recently drew a lot of negative feedback due to the poor show by the track in the first Test between India and Australia. The track was rated as ‘poor’ by the ICC and this was certainly not a good news for the state association. However, one bad game certainly cannot take anything away from the stadium which is often cited as an example of an architectural marvel.

The stadium promises a 360 degree viewing experience for the audiences and hence has been one of the favored venues for limited overs fixtures. Recently an event named Sports Bowls was organized by Wide Angle Forum at Jawaharlal Nehra Auditorium. The event saw many participants of different fields of architecture and sports.

Architect Darshan Medhi gave a good insight to the participants about how the audience experience is of paramount importance while designing any sports arena. The function was inaugurated by the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Predident Abhat Apte. Medhi noted that an obstruction less viewing is the key ingredient of a stadium design.

“No matter which sport it is, an architect needs to keep in mind that the ground needs to be of a perfectly right composure to enable the players to give their best. An obstruction-less viewing arrangement for the spectators is mandatory as well,” quoted Medhi as per the quotes in the Indian Express.

On the occasion, the MCA president remarked that the Pune stadium has all the ingredients of being an ideal stadium and reckoned that the stadium will be a dynamic part of the upcoming edition of the IPL. He expressed the desire to be actively involved in the IPL because of the stature of the tournament.

“Everybody in the world wants to be a part of the IPL. Players from other countries have retired from their teams to become full-time IPL players. The board makes an estimate of 500 crores through the series,” quoted Abhay Apte.