The unsung hero of the Feroz Shah Kotla Test
Feroz Shah Kotla stadium in New Delhi recently witnessed five days of riveting cricket. True lovers of the gentleman’s game got to witness wonderful old-fashioned Test cricket on all days- Ajinkya Rahane’s scintillating ton in both innings, some brilliant bowling by Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja; local boy Virat Kohli’s well-made 88 and some incredible grit, determination and patience shown by Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers in the last two days of the match.
However, the unsung hero who deserves full-credit for ensuring the successful completion of the Delhi Test, which brought to end a wonderful and hard fought test series though is Mukul Mudgal, the retired Chief Justice of Punjab & Haryana High Court who was appointed as an observer, in-charge of facilitating smooth conduct of the test match.
Mr. Mudgal in just a few days has given lessons to the scam-tainted Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) and BCCI on how to smoothly conduct a Test match and take care of the interests of the most important stakeholders in the game, the spectators.
The retired High Court judge and self-confessed cricket lover has shown all cricket administrators, how small measures can improve the quality of the game and experience for spectators.
First, DDCA officials were directed to ensure that free RO-purified water in plastic glasses is provided to all spectators. Next, Mr. Mudgal ensured that food and beverages served in the stadium would be made available at affordable rates.
Third, it was directed that physical ticket counters be setup up to ensure easy availability of tickets. It was further directed that complimentary or free passes be limited to 10,000 in compliance with the order of the Delhi High Court (to ensure that the practice of unnecessary distribution of free passes just to keep members of DDCA is avoided). Another important measure taken was to invite underprivileged children from government schools to watch the cricket match, free of cost.
But perhaps the most important measure taken by Mr. Mudgal was to ensure that various tenders floated for conducting the match such as stadia rights, transport, catering and pouring rights, security and baggage scanner, housekeeping, walkie-talkies and PA system and tent were uploaded on the DDCA website in a transparent manner and bids were scrutinised by a retired Deputy CAG to ensure that there was no corruption or nepotism.
What was even more heartening was the fact the Mr. Mudgal himself set an example for cricket administrators by not accepting any free passes but purchasing a Rs. 800 ticket to witness the match.
While critics may point-out to the fact that Mr. Mudgal may have overstepped his brief in suggesting these changes and in interfering in the affairs of a private club, these seemingly insignificant measures if implemented for all matches, would go a long-way in ensuring transparency and accountability in sporting bodies and in ensuring a great spectator experience.
Mr. Mudgal has also shown that it is possible to easily clean-up BCCI and state cricket associations by appointing competent professionals and former cricketers as administrators.
Perhaps more judicial interventions to bring people like Mr. Mudgal at the helm of managing affairs of Indian cricket can ensure creation of world-class sports infrastructure and in-stadium experience at par with global standards.