The iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, which is widely regarded as the focal point of Karnataka cricket, is ready to reopen for competitive cricket following one of the sad incidents on June 4. For the first time since the stampede that killed 11 people during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) IPL win celebrations, the stadium will host matches for the Karnataka State Cricket Association’s (KSCA) famous K Thimmappiah Memorial Trophy. However, fans will not be permitted inside the stadium.
RCB’s first IPL triumph drew a large number of fans, who rushed to the stadium to join the festivities. The massive throng and mishandling at the gates resulted in a catastrophic stampede, killing eleven people and injuring more than 50.
A government-commissioned investigation eventually determined that the Chinnaswamy Stadium was unsuitable for large-scale events due to structural and crowd-control issues.
In the aftermath, the KSCA faced backlash, while RCB initially remained silent before eventually pledging financial support. The incident forced authorities to reassess the stadium’s suitability for hosting major events, leading to restrictions and even the loss of hosting rights for several Women’s World Cup matches and the Maharaja Trophy.
RCB recently announced revised compensation package for the victims’ families
Despite the ongoing scrutiny, cricket is set to return to the venue in the form of the K Thimmappiah Memorial Trophy, a red-ball pre-season competition featuring 16 teams, with the likes of Mumbai, Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, and Himachal. Notable Indian players such as Ajinkya Rahane, Venkatesh Iyer, Hanuma Vihari, and Vijay Shankar are set to feature in the tournament. The stadium will host six matches, including one semi-final and the final scheduled for September 26.
In line with safety recommendations, all matches will be staged behind closed doors. The KSCA continues to suffer with compliance issues, including fire safety regulations, and is currently dependent on generators and solar power due to a power cut by BESCOM.
Meanwhile, RCB recently announced a revised compensation package for the victims’ families. Under their new initiative, RCB Cares, the franchise has pledged INR 25 lakh to each bereaved family, alongside a long-term commitment to improving crowd safety and supporting fans.
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