Free entry to students for Mohali Aus Test

Mohali: The Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) on Thursday decided to give free entry to rural and urban students from all the 20 districts of the state for India-Australia Test match which starts October 17.

Not only free entry, the students would also be given free food on all the five days of the second Test between India and Australia, PCA President IS Bindra told a press conference here.

He said the organizing committee, which met here on Wednesday night under the presidentship of Sukhbir Singh Badal, had decided to take this initiative so that the students from the state can watch the Test and get exposure to the game.

Five bus loads of students from each of the 20 districts, including the border districts of Amritsar, Gurdaspur and Ferozepur, would be brought daily, Bindra said adding that around 5,000 students would be able to enjoy the match each day.

He said the local district administrations would take care of arranging five buses from each district.

"Since every day new students would be brought, around 25,000 students are expected to enjoy the five-day match," Bindra said.

The PCA also decided to slash the ticket rates of "aam janata" (common man) class, besides reducing the season ticket price of students and chair blocks to Rs 100 and Rs 300 from Rs 200 and Rs 500 respectively. Bindra said there would be no change in the price of season tickets of three "higher classes" which would remain at Rs 1,000, Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000 for VIP, Terrace and AC Lounge respectively.

He also promised tight security for the safety of the spectators, and at the same time ensuring that minimum inconvenience be caused to them.

"The security would be spectator-friendly despite stringent security measures which would be in place due to heightened security threat," the PCA Chief added.

Asked about Pakistan Cricket Board's criticism on Australia's decision to go ahead with its tour of India despite recent bomb blasts while refusing to tour Pakistan, Bindra played it safe.

"The Pakistan board has expressed its view. If Australia have decided to come to India we welcome them," he said.

Bindra informed that a recee team of Cricket Australia has already visited the venues in India, including Mohali. 

PTI