The game is on. The ticket sale for the first One Day International match between India and West Indies slated for November 21 in the city was officially inaugurated by Kochi Mayor Tony Chammany on Wednesday.
The Mayor handed over the first ticket to Bindu Madhav, managing director, Bhima Jewellery, at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium here. “The West Indies team is coming to Kochi for the first time and the Nehru stadium is once again going to be the centre of attraction of the entire cricketing world,” said Mayor Tony Chammany after inaugurating the cricket sales. The sealed ticket book was handed over to general manager of Federal Bank Varghese K I by GCDA Chairman N Venugopal. There’s a great demand for tickets online.
District Collector P I Sheikh Pareeth presided over the function. Kerala Cricket Association president T C Mathew said they expect a total sell out for the match. “This is the second international match that KCA is bringing to Kochi within a single calender year. The preparations for the match are in full swing. Covers have been brought from Nagpur to cover the entire stadium in case of rain. In terms of ticket sales, tickets worth `25 lakh have already been sold out online. With such initial response, we are expecting a total sell out for the match,” he said.
District Collector P I Sheikh Pareeth said the inauguration of Sachin Pavilion at the stadium was going to be a special occasion for the cricket lovers of the state.
Tickets can be purchased online from the website of the Federal Bank (www.federalbank.co.in) and from around 40 selected branches of Federal Bank across the state. Tickets will also be available at special counters at the stadium from November 18 to 20.