The 13th edition of the ODI World Cup 2023 has kicked off with a match between England and New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
However, despite the immense popularity of cricket in India, the biggest stadium in the world appeared to be empty on the first day of the event.
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According to media reports, there were only three to four thousand spectators at the start of the inaugural match between the 2019 World Cup finalists.
There are several factors contributing to the absence of spectators in the stadium in Ahmedabad, including it being a working day and fears of terrorist attacks.
Yesterday, it was reported in Indian media that terrorists have threatened to attack matches in the city, raising fears about the safety of players and cricket fans.
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It was also reported earlier today that organizers took several initiatives before the start of the first encounter to attract a large crowd to the stadium for the match.
According to the media reports, organizers invited around 30,000 to 40,000 women to the stadium free of charge to fill the stadium on the inaugural day.
“The passes will be valid only for women, who will be provided two tokens for tea, one for breakfast, and one for a food packet,” BJP ward members said.
Here are some Twitter reactions.
The stands at the 132,000 capacity Narendra Modi stadium in Ahmedabad are only sparsely filled for the #CWC23 opener between England and New Zealand ??? pic.twitter.com/lQSgGEWuTE
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) October 5, 2023
Despite sold-out tickets on Book My Show, a surprisingly empty stadium at #ICCcricketworldcup2023’s opening match #ENGvsNZ leaves fans disappointed. Even with 40,000 free tickets given to Ahmedabad women for match 1, the stands remain vacant. ????? #CricketFans #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/kfdAn79rTC
— Crick Live Line (@CrickLinelive) October 5, 2023
Very few number of spectators attended the opening match of Cricket World Cup between England and new Zealand in Narendra Modi stadium ??? Ahmedabad.#ENGvsNZpic.twitter.com/PL1utfS4mS
— NO CONTEXT VIBE (@No_Context_Vibe) October 5, 2023
A complete empty stadium in Ahmedabad, is India the right place to host the WC?? https://t.co/pPijiwPzQc pic.twitter.com/Chd3loiF14
— Ahsan Shehzad???????? (@Ahsan_Shehzad_) October 5, 2023
Disappointing to see World Cup opening in front of just a few hundred spectators in Ahmedabad. Very disappointing https://t.co/T4nA6EdVzK pic.twitter.com/lr0Sof8Rsw
— F (@falahtah) October 5, 2023
Disappointing to see World Cup opening in front of not even a few hundred spectators in Ahmedabad. Very disappointing #ENGvNZ #ENGvsNZ #CWC23 https://t.co/SnsCUR9v5C pic.twitter.com/3GEAvGTvxZ
— SAAD ???? (@SaadIrfan258) October 5, 2023
Happy to see World Cup opening in front of millions of spectators in Ahmedabad . Splendid Scenes. https://t.co/kX5nV44V8Q pic.twitter.com/CBnhrcXMsO
— Fazal Abbas (@FazalSamtiah) October 5, 2023
World’s largest EMPTY stadium that Ahmedabad India for you#ENGvNZ #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/vPqnS3fHwq
— Sultan Khan (@MainHoonSultan7) October 5, 2023
Source: Pro Pakistani