Dwindling spectator interest at Test matches continues
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Dear Sir,
In the 1st Test, in the 3-Test series between Sri Lanka and Australia, what is pragmatic is the “Dwindling spectator curiosity”, which was pretty apparent at the venues in the previous series against India, Pakistan and the West Indies. It is regrettable that spectator interest has not shown any significant improvement at all, after the venue was changed to Pallekelle. It is a great pity the SLC authorities have failed to adopt any alternate strategies to change this typical attitude of passionate spectator curiosity. The stands are mostly empty, which reflects dreadfully on our cricketing image.
It was hugely disappointing to see this spectator attendance in these closely contested International matches. Spectator interest should have been at the forefront of the minds of the organisers. They should very well comprehend that a Test match will not be booming without a significant audience. In the matches played at the SSC and the P. Sara stadium, there were many vacant seats and empty stands on which the TV cameramen never focused. Such barrenness is not felt in Test matches played in India, Bangladesh, Australia, England and other test playing nations. Sri Lankan fans are also equally passionate about their Cricket.
But the non-affluent have to hurdle obvious constraints to come and watch a Test match, like their counterparts in Asian countries. In contrast, in the just concluded Sri Lanka’s Test series in England and, even when the Ashes series was on, there were full houses at all Test matches, the impressive spectacle even via TV was very gratifying. In Sri Lanka, there are enough and more Cricket enthusiasts who are not affluent but fanatical, to go to the venues if they are afforded accessible basic incentives such as nominal entrance fees, subsidised lunch packets and perhaps, given free soft drinks, bottled water and, of course, good refuge from the scorching sun.
It was announced that entrance to a recent Test at SSC was free for students. I have my doubts whether the most non affluent schoolchildren may not have tasted even a burger or canned coca cola, leave alone at a Test venue. They would be enthusiastic to watch Test cricket with keenness and passion if afforded this scenario. I do not know whether it was under the open stands or under cover they were offered free entrance. These committed youthful Cricket fans should be encouraged by giving free snacks and bottled water to satisfy their hunger and thirst in order to attract them to the Test venue.
Such incentives have to be accessible to attract schoolboys to make the stands somewhat full, so that, the bareness in the stands would not be felt. Surely, there are enough reputed companies who could come forward and contribute to this exercise as a sponsorship drive, and also make this endeavour a flourishing success from the perspective of the game of Cricket played at the highest level. This is food for thought for the SLC authorities. On the other hand, invitees and officials are all well looked after with VIP treatment. The low attendance reflects very shoddily on our Cricket which is very highly ranked amongst the world’s cricketing fraternity.
Sri Lanka is known worldwide for its cricketing prowess and competence. It is the fervent hope of all Cricket lovers that counteractive steps would be taken by the interrelated authorities, particularly the SLC, to attract more spectators during the Test series against the mighty Aussies. This should be a matter treated as crucial, as these dour scenes of barren stands should not be tolerated and exposed to the world via TV worldwide.
- Sunil Thenabadu,
18 Nevron Drive, Bahrs Scrub Queensland 4207 Brisbane
Tel 0061738041967 e mail sthenabadu@hotmail.com