Sunday, April 08, 2007

Crowd rules relaxed at World Cup

Satirday's match in Guyana was the first with relaxed rules
Satirday's match in Guyana was the first with relaxed rules
World Cup organisers have been forced into making various concessions in a last-ditch attempt to boost flagging attendance figures at matches.

Many observers have bemoaned the lack of steel bands and consequent lack of a Caribbean atmosphere at matches.

So now, as the event enters its final three weeks, fans will be allowed to take musical instruments into grounds without making written applications.

The controversial policy of no re-entry has also been abandoned.

The relaxation of these rules appears to have had an immediate effect.

At the Bangladesh v South Africa match in Guyana on Saturday, some music could be heard and the attendance was a big improvement on some previous matches at Providence Stadium.

The match was better attended than many previously at Providence Stadium, and some music could also be heard.

If allowing them to bring instruments into the ground is going to make a few more turn out, than all well and good
Ricky Ponting

"Safety must be paramount at matches but we do want everyone to watch cricket in a festive and lively atmosphere," said World Cup chief executive Chris Dehring.

Australia skipper Ricky Ponting said he hoped the concessions would improve attendances.

He said: "I'm obviously looking forward to playing in front of a few more fans.

"That's what World Cups are all about as far as I'm concerned, playing in packed stadiums and playing some great cricket.

"We haven't had that yet in any of the games we've played so if allowing them to bring instruments into the ground is going to make a few more turn out, than all well and good.

"If they do that, there will be a great atmosphere around the ground and there'll be a bit more of the Caribbean sort of flavour I guess that you are accustomed to playing in front of when you are over here."

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