I fully agree with Mr. Panicker. The various organisations on the pretex of sponsorship are trying to own us. at this rate time wont be far off when they may ask you to strip to ensure the interest of sponsorer who is udergarnment manufacturer. Someone said something about ICC being a private club. In that case code of conduct can be for members and ICC should insist that only members can attend matches. Why do they allow outsiders to attend. This is because their greed for money makes them seek attendance from common public and not the interest of Cricket. The amount spent by sponsorers is obscene adn hence their comcern for Ambush marketing. The amount earned by the club is exhorbitant. Why not tone down the whole money mania and concentrate more on cricket?
i can see your underline thoughts though not agree completely,do agree in parts. i usually reserve my comments but in this case would share as i have first hand experience of watching india/kenya match at rose bowl and possibly would go to other indian matches.
Every thing was allowed in the stadium barring cans and not only coke,pepsi (official sponsors) were not allowed as well.reason given was security rather than ambush marketing.i could carry coke plastic bottles and evian water bottles.
There was frisking of picnic hampers but i would rather have them frisk the hampers than be killed from bomb blast.
You should have consulted some one who have actually visited these games before writing this article and not just base on few comments from ICC board members.usually ground reality is quite different from whats been said in Press.
Well, I can see that that again we have two groups of people. One who agrees with Prem and the others who don't. The point is simple. You have to suffer the hostilites of ambush marketing only once because the next time you will either conform to their requirements and go (only if you are die hard fans) or you won't go at all and watch it on the TV. But in any case it is worthwhile that Prem brought this point forward. At least now we know about it. -cheers, Ritesh
Here is my story of being stripped at the ground. But this was long before ICC or the other Marketing gurus invented the term Ambush marketing. It was January 1999, when we cricket fans in Chennai thronged in huge numbers to witness the first Indo-Pak test match in India in 13 years. Little did I know that I am gonnu be stripped before entering the ground cos I was wearing a color thats gonnu upset the Pakistani visitors. 1000s of spectators, including me, who wore anything in black were stripped. You could see a huge no. of ppl with VIP banians inside the stadium because they chose to wear BLACK. Only the ladies were spared. I dont know who on earth came up with idea that wearing black is like showing our protest against the pakis. After all this is the same crowd, that on the fourth day, stood up to give a thunderous applause to the visitors after Tendulaker's heroics failed to save the match for us. Guess... they should print on back of the tickets, what to wear and what not to.
oh god if i have ever done some good then please erradicate the name of cricket from this world if this can not be done then atlest please form a new governing body this icc is only and only concern of money and money and not a faintest of doubt is left that if ever match fixing was held then they cannot be ignored i tell you they are on driver seat.
Hi Prem, ICC never said in their statement that they were going to prevent the spectators from wearing competing logos. So please stop your useless sensationalism. Absolutely pointless article........ I am surprised rediff even allowed this article to be posted
aren't we over-reacting a little here and totally working yourself into a fine lather over something that hasn't happened... not unless you want to waive a banner in the stands in shocking pink colours professing your undying love for coterie of "chosen" brands!
