Fanfare at IPL Fan Park Arena at Nehru Maidan Rain Washed? Lightning Injures 1 Man
Mangaluru: IPL Cricket fans in Mangaluru were anxiously waiting to watch the finals between Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad, played at Wankede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday, 27 May 2018- but all their anxious and enthusiastic wait was shattered by the heavy thunderstorms that lashed the City during the late evening hours- with the fanfare coming to a startling end. It was a total loss for the organizers, who had spent in lakhs to put up this SHOW, for the FIRST time in Mangaluru.
As briefed about this VIVO IPL Fan Park 2018 during a press meet held prior to the show, the organizers had said, “Spread across 19 states and covering 36 cities, VIVO IPL Fan Park 2018 is aimed at to reach out to fans and cover regions where there are limited options of entertainment. Whereas the League embarks upon its 11th season, the Fan Parks will engage fans from across the country. From the northernmost part – Kullu to the Southern most part – Tirunelveli and spreading its wings towards Agartala in the East to Rajkot in the West, the Fan Parks will reach out to cricket lovers from the length and breadth of India.”
“Each venue will broadcast all the LIVE action of the IPL on giant TV screens, creating a stadium-like feel for fans practically in their backyards. Entry will be free and furthermore, there will be music and multiple stalls for merchandise, food, beverages and other activations by IPL’s official sponsors, which will add to the electric atmosphere. To add to the excitement, those visiting the Fan Park will be eligible for a lucky prize which will include exclusive IPL merchandise and a cool smartphone from VIVO. Last season saw a massive turnout of 3,00,000 cricket enthusiasts who experienced the IPL live at the Fan Parks. This year will be no different as the initiative is expected to generate a greater turnout with BCCI leaving no stone unturned to ensure a successful season. The first VIVO IPL Fan Park for the 2018 season will be held on May 27th in Muzaffarpur, Nagpur, Kota, and Managaluru: added the organizers.
Even as the countdown had begun for the action to unfold in the City, many fans were hoping that it would not rain on that evening, as the Bengaluru Meteorological Centre had already predicted that the city will be pounded with heavy thunderstorms from 26 May-29 May. But the organizers still took a chance and all the risk by not cancelling the event, but unfortunately all their efforts and hard work in setting up this mega show was nullified by the heavy downpour accompanied with lightning and thunder on Sunday evening, which brought shivers among the sea of fans gathered at Nehru Maidan- and also injuring a police constable, who had come there after his work, to witness the show.
The injured person due to the lightning, Siddappaji, aged 25, a constable with City Armed Reserve (CAR), was quickly rushed to the hospital. Even though many believed that the cop got injured due to the lightning, however, Sumit Mallapurkar, assistant manager, cricket operations, BCCI, speaking to Team Mangalorean said, ” The policeman may not have been hit by lightning but probably collapsed due to the shock. I was in the VIP lounge when the incident occurred, when my driver came running and informed me a young man has collapsed. Immediately I informed the event management team, who also clarified that the man might have collapsed out of shock, and not hit by lightning. But we are happy that the young cop is out of danger and doing fine”.
The heavy thunderstorms created a havoc in the arena, with panels tumbling down, the large LED screen stopped working due to rain, temporary booth tops and umbrellas displaying sponsors names getting blown away, and also fans running for shelter from getting wet. But the panic was not much, for the fact that not many fans had shown up fearing that it would rain- and this prevented a larger tragedy from happening. But still it was a total chaos at the arena, with rain water filling at the venue, and it was a mess all around. It’s nice to note that with all that chaos that was created by Mother Nature, that only one person got injured, which is not life threatening. But sadly, IPL fans in Kudla missed one of the great event from happening here. Damn Rain?