The issue between the Maharashtra Cricket Association and the Sahara Group over the naming rights of the MCA Stadium here in Pune is not yet resolved.
It is learnt that the latter have still not paid the amount due to the MCA owing to which the authorities had covered the name Subroto Roy Sahara Stadium during the last Indian Premier League.
Flag march: Fans wave the tri-colour during the 1st one-dayer between India and Australia at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune yesterday. Pic/Krunal Gosavi
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But both parties are back to the negotiating table and MCA is hopeful that Sahara will sort out the issue amicably. Consequently, they let the stadium sport the Sahara chief’s name yesterday.
In-stadia ads get last-minute nod
Till late Saturday evening there was no clarity on whether there would be any in-stadia advertising at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, the venue of the opening India-Australia ODI, owing to the ongoing tussle between the MCA and Adpros Media Pvt Ltd, a Delhi based company.
The dispute between the two parties is still pending in the Bombay High Court. However, last-minute negotiations ensured that fans, both at the venue and on television, were were not witness to a sight that would undoubtedly have been rare, given the current age when the cricket establishment does not miss out on an opportunity to mint money.
No VIPs, empty corporate boxes
One is not sure whether it was due to the Dussera festivities or due to plain lack of interest, but the corporate boxes, a much sort after area to watch the game from at every cricket venue, wore a sparse look during yesterday’s encounter.
The story was no different in the stands just below the corporate boxes. There were very few spectators at least during the Australian innings. On the other hand, the terraces were packed to capacity with the Indian tri-colour visible everywhere.u00a0
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