CoA Meeting: BCCI reduces its complimentary passes to half

The CoA sanctioned 600 extra complimentary tickets from BCCI's share to the staging units for the remainder of the West Indies series

Holkar Stadium in Indore was originally scheduled to host the second India-West Indies ODI, which has been moved to Visakhapatnam due to complications regarding complimentary tickets.

The Committee of Administrators on Saturday sanctioned 600 extra complimentary tickets from BCCI’s share to the staging units for the remainder of the West Indies series after multiple associations expressed their displeasure.

As per the new constitution, 90 per cent tickets were supposed to be released for general public with only 10 per cent complimentary passes for the staging associations.

The BCCI had mandatory five per cent complimentary tickets for its sponsors and broadcasters.

The situation led to an unrest as Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association gave up its hosting rights for Indore ODI on October 24.

The CAB and TNCA also expressed their inability to host if prevailing arrangement existed.

Accordingly, the COA met in Delhi today and assured staging associations that BCCI will curtail its share of passes from 1200 to 604.

“In the spirit of the mandate of the Hon’ble Supreme Court, the Committee of Administrators has decided to limit the BCCI’s requirement for sponsor and other free allotments as much as possible from 1200 to 604, so that the number of complimentary tickets available to the hosting State Association is maximised,” the COA wrote in a communication to state units which is in possession of PTI .

Accordingly, the BCCI will take 184 hospitality passes and 420 next best category per match during the series.

There was relief for CAB as well as membership tickets won’t be categorised in the 10 per cent allocation as per the new constitution.

“Please note that all tickets sold/allotted to members (of the host State Association) as per the terms and conditions of their membership will not be counted towards the prescribed 10 per cent limit as mentioned above,” the COA wrote.

This particular part was for CAB which has 27,000 membership passes comprising life, annual and associate members.

The CoA feels that aggrieved associations should be happy now.

“We trust that since the BCCI’s requirement has been reduced from 1200 to 604, the above arrangement will address the issues being faced by the State Associations and that the State Associations will come together in the greater interest of the game of cricket and honour the commitment made by them to the fans of cricket.”