One of the major setbacks that Kings XI Punjab had to endure before the IPL season began was losing out on their home venue. Due to the logistical reasons, KXIP could play only three matches at the PCA Stadium, Mohali with rest of the matches being shifted to the Holkar Stadium, Indore. Unfortunately, they lost their first match at the adopted home but that is not the greatest of worries.
In the past, Kings XI Punjab distributed free passes to the local authorities for the IPL matches taking place at Indore as is customary. However, the passes are quite expensive and KXIP is struggling to meet the ends. The expenses are hurting the team budget.
Thus in order to reduce the expenses, KXIP sent only 200 free passes to local administrative officials. This was just two-fifths of what was offered for IPL matches earlier, prompting the officials to revolt by returning them. As the deadlock for passes reached a stalemate with KXIP refusing to provide additional passes citing the loss, the district administration has stepped in.
ALSO READ: IPL 2018: Match 38 (KXIP vs RR) – Five things to look out for
Speaking to TOI, district collector, Nishant Warwade revealed “Unlike any match of team India, IPL is a commercial event wherein the local administration has made all the required arrangements with the help of civic body, city police and other authorities concerned. We will recover one-day salary of the government officials and expenses on the machinery being used for the matches”
Warwade also inserted that in case of any such private event, the authority can always earn the revenue by using other means such as parking, deployment of the security officials, cleanliness, derivation of traffic, lights from the concerned agency. The administration is now planning to prepare the complete ‘bill’ for Kings XI Punjab franchise.
ALSO READ: IPL 2018: Match 38 (KXIP vs RR) – Stats Preview
Approximately 1700 policemen, 30 Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) officers and workers and 15 senior administration officials are appointed to ensure that IPL matches are held without any glitch at the Holkar Stadium. Kings XI Punjab will be playing three more matches at Indore on May 6, 12 and 14.
The officials have also sought the rule book to find ways to force the franchisee pay for the ‘bill’ which they plan to generate. The stalemate is likely to escalate unless the Kings XI Punjab can settle the issue calmly.
