'Too bad for cricket'

by

2008-11-21 13:48

Dear Editor,

I am a cricket fan. I love the game. I love watching the game, especially live at stadia (though I manage this too sporadically for my liking). I am, however, concerned with the culture of exclusion that is creeping in at stadiums.

This culture stems not from spectators (who generally get on well with one another) but from the stadium owners (the unions). The ticket prices are reasonable, but the changing stadium rules concern me.

On reading the rules for Supersport Park in Centurion, I discovered that bringing your own beverages to the stadium is no longer allowed, yet food is.

The body requires liquids to remain hydrated, but now you're denying me the right to bring my two-litre water bottle into the stadium because you want to sell bottled water for horrendous prices? I am fortunate enough to be able to afford those prices, but what about those that are financially disadvantaged? Should they dehydrate, or drink out of the taps in the restrooms?

Since the domestic games are only televised on Supersport (which the poorer cannot afford either) you are effectively "banning" them from the games. So much for promoting and developing the game.

The stadiums had it right when they began banning spectators from bringing alcohol to the stadia, but they've taken a wrong turn here. Good luck to the Titans. I'll follow your progress in the news, but I will unfortunately not attend your games. I refuse to accept this prejudice.

I hope I will not be the only voice, but I suspect the usual "moan and accept" apathy of most other South Africans will win through. Too bad for cricket.

MT,
Centurion

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