Guwahati, April 4: Come tomorrow, cricket enthusiasts of Guwahati will have something more to cheer when the 10th Indian Premier League (IPL) gets under way.
It will be an atmosphere akin to a real-match venue at the Assam Cricket Association Stadium here tomorrow for the IPL inaugural ceremony and the opening match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bangalore, courtesy the cash-rich league's flagship promotional initiative - IPL Fan Park.
The inaugural ceremony and the match scheduled for tomorrow will be telecast live on a giant LED screen of 30 feet by 20 feet in front of the ACA stadium, arranged to give a real-life feeling to 6,000-plus audience.
"If the weather improves, we are expecting a bigger crowd. Even if it drizzles, there will be garden umbrellas, but if it rains heavily, it's beyond our control. Let's hope the weather permits," Anant Nigam of DNA Entertainment Networks, the BCCI's IPL events partner, said here today.
"We are aware that cricket is very popular in Assam and we are expecting a very good turnout. This is an initiative to further promote the sport as well as the league and I am hopeful of a great response tomorrow," BCCI project head Amit Sidheswar said.
Asked what arrangements would be made if the turnout exceeds the expected number of 6,000, Nigam said: "We are prepared for any number. We have accommodated up to 50,000 people in Patna. We work out the number of expected audience on the basis of a formula and we expect a crowd of 6,000 here." The fans will be allowed to enjoy the show free of cost.
Elaborating on the programme, Nigam said: "It will be no less than a real match venue. We create an atmosphere almost similar to the match venues. There will be food and beverage courts vending items at reasonable price, face painting artists, merchandise, activities like lucky draw sponsored by our various partners, including a Vivo smartphone up for grabs by the luckiest fan, and other amenities of a match venue. We are laying special emphasis on security and hygiene. The city administration and the ACA are extending all cooperation in the initiative."
He said arrangements have been made for two categories of audience - VIP invitees and general fans. The gates would be opened at 6pm and the invitees would enter through gate number 1 while the fans will be allowed through gate number 2.
ACA secretary Pradip Buragohain appreciated the BCCI initiative to the entertain the city fans with such an event for the first time.
Asked if the BCCI would consider spreading IPL wings to the city if the programme turns out to be big success, Sidheswar said: "Assam has a huge cricketing atmosphere and I am hopeful of seeing international cricketers from the state in the near future. I hope this initiative will motivate the players."
The IPL has in the past few years lost popularity in Assam with the only player from the state, Abu Nechim Ahmed, mostly cooling his heels on the reserve benches and no new player being signed by any of the franchises.
