NEW DELHI: Cricket authorities face the challenge of balancing the needs of the sport with the needs of local communities. In regions where people struggle for drinking water, large-scale water usage for cricket can lead to public outcry and protests. This has led to calls for a more responsible approach to water management in cricket.
In areas affected by both water shortages and high temperatures, fans often face health risks due to dehydration.With limited access to clean drinking water in stadiums, fans may struggle to stay hydrated during matches, which can lead to heat exhaustion or other health issues.
In places like Maharashtra, during severe droughts, courts have ruled against the use of potable water for cricket stadiums, reflecting a shift in priorities toward addressing the water needs of local populations over entertainment.
And as the second Test between India and New Zealand got underway at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune, the water issue was a crisis waiting to happen.
According to some posts on X (formerly Twitter) fans at the stadium, also known as Gahunje faced severe drinking water crisis due to the heat.
Add to that, there were no proper arrangements of drinking water done by the authorities that led to fans’ ire.
One user posted, “NO WATER in the MCA Stadium at Pune. That too in the month of October when there’s scorching HEAT. What’s the point of boasting about stadiums when fans can’t get basic facilities? SHAME!”
Another fan posted, “Ind vs NZ , MCA stadium, it has been 2 hours since the water supply stopped. The vendors are selling 100ml for 80 Rs. @RRPSpeaks Please look into this, almost 4 senior citizens have collapsed because of the dehydration. @BCCI”
Yet another fan posted, “Look at the richest board of cricket who can’t provide basic facilities in the stadium. fans are protesting against not having sufficient drinking water facilities in the MCA stadium. #INDvNZ
Fans attending matches in water-scarce regions often experience reduced water availability in stadiums. This includes limitations on drinking water, sanitation facilities, and overall comfort during long match days, especially in the heat.
In some cases, water conservation measures in stadiums can make the fan experience less enjoyable, leading to complaints about a lack of basic amenities.
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