Announcement of Paktel Cup, ticketing and other decisions

PCB Media Release – October 07, 2004

a. Triangular Series
Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka will be competing with Pakistan for the Paktel Trophy in the coming weeks and, after the final on October 16, Pakistan will play two Test matches against Sri Lanka. PCB hopes that the Pakistan public will continue to demonstrate the sportsmanship, maturity and discipline that was evident during Pakistan-India series. So far, the response from the public in Karachi, Multan and Peshawar has been superb.

b. Ticketing
PCB will endeavour to improve the ticketing process by drawing from the experience of previous series. Accordingly, the following points are relevant:
i. Tickets will have computer bars that were introduced for the Pakistan-India series. These bars on tickets will be even more fool-proof than before and are aimed at preventing forgeries. Computer based checking at the turnstiles takes 3-5 seconds and will not cause delays. Security screening by the police will also be required before entry. Stadium gates will be opened two hours before the start of play and ticket holders are requested to arrive in good time to avoid crowding. Enclosures will be clearly signposted and special arrangements for water and additional ladies/men’s toilets have been made.
ii. As last time, no complimentary tickets are being printed. The price of tickets for the current series has been significantly reduced and their distribution ensured at several outlets in each city.
iii. On the day of the match, tickets will be available at outlets near the stadium. No tickets will be available at the stadium on match day and only ticket holders will be allowed inside the security perimeter. Ticket holders arriving in cars will be permitted entry in the car park with driver.
iv. The PCB will maintain its previous stand against VIP culture by not issuing complimentary tickets, especially as those seeking complimentary passes can easily afford to buy tickets available in the market. PCB has decided, however, to set aside a limited quota for the following categories who are deserving of special treatment:
Special children (handicapped, SOS village)
Test players, administrators, umpires
Wives/families of home and visiting teams
Sponsors
Administrative partners e.g. WAPDA, Police, Security Agencies, City Administration

c. Ticketing for Pakistan-India series
The following main points may be noted:
i. Due to the extreme shortage of time (18 days) between the final announcement of the tour (Feb 19) and the arrival of the Indian Team (March 9), arrangements for the ticketing process had to be put together in great haste. Inevitably, errors and miscalculations were made (e.g. inadequate security arrangements on the opening day of ticket sales in Karachi). PCB has learnt from these errors, which will be corrected. A separate detailed press statement is being released on ticket sales for the series.
ii. Due to huge interest that could have filled every stadium several times over, some black marketing by ticket holders was inevitable. However, entry into the stadium through faked tickets was almost completely avoided because of computerised bar checks. (This was again proven in the ODI Pakistan v Sri Lanka on 6th October 2004 in Karachi by the fact that in each enclosure there was no overspill).
iii. The gate receipts for the series (Rs 7.5 crores) was the highest ever in Pakistan’s cricket history, representing a few-fold increase over the previous highest figure (Rs 1.5 crore at the World Cup – 1996).
iv. Similarly, the revenue from sponsorship and TV rights (US$ 24 million) achieved through transparent and open tender, was by far the highest in PCB’s history.
v. For the first time, ticket sales were made through internet leading to foreign earnings for the Board.

d. TV coverage
In response to continuing enquiries regarding TV coverage, PCB confirms that the inter se differences, between ARY and Ten Sports that led to proceedings in court and could have endangered TV coverage of the Triangular series, will be submitted to arbitration. This arbitration agreement between Ten Sports and ARY was facilitated by the Chairman PCB through intensive negotiations that led to the agreement. The following points may be noted regarding the TV issue:
i. Unlike the TV coverage issue in India, the differences in Pakistan were between the two contracting parties and not between them and the PCB.
ii. As a fall back position, PCB had taken steps to ensure TV coverage of the series by PTV in the event of any eleventh hour decision by the Lahore High Court that could have prevented Ten Sports/ARY televising the series.

e. Players Contracts
A formula for players contracts has been matured after preliminary discussions with the Chief Selector, Captain and Coach. The contract will be further discussed during the coming days for contracts to be signed thereafter.

f. Sponsorship
There has been an encouraging response to PCB’s efforts to secure sponsorship of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. Negotiations for a contract are taking place and will be announced shortly. PCB is now engaged in seeking sponsorship for regional teams, academies, schools and club activity.

g. Senior Executive and other posts in PCB
Consequent to the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) report, PCB posts have been advertised and the selection process, including short listing, interviews, examinations are in process. Some of these posts have been finalised (e.g. Regional Development Officers) while others are expected to mature shortly. As regards the post of Senior Executive, the last date for application was October 4, and the selection process is expected to mature in about 4-6 weeks. The following are the posts already advertised:
Positions Advertised
1) Regional Development Officers
2) Senior Position – PR/Protocol/Media
3) Consultant Marketing
4) Manager Marketing
5) Internal Auditor
6) Manager Security & Anti Corruption
7) Cricket Management Officer
8) Physio/Trainer
9) Manager Projects
10) Research & Analysis Officer
11) Manager Media

h. Constitution
The PCB has given its recommendations on the constitution to Justice Karamat Bhandari who has started a process of consultation with cricket oriented persons/organisations (e.g. Test players, Administrators, District Associations etc) through questionnaires and interviews. Some delay in the finalisation of recommendations for a draft constitution has become inevitable because a member of the constitution commission, Mr. Zahid Hamid MNA, has in the recent cabinet reshuffle, assumed the post of Minister of State for Defence.

i. Junior Squad
After consultation with the selectors, captain and coach, a quad of between 30-40 players will be formed to comprise the ‘A’ Team. In order to bring this squad up to required fitness levels so that they could, when required, step into the national squad, an experienced trainer will be required who would work in tandem with Bob Woolmer and Murray Stevenson. He would also aim to inculcate a fitness culture for Pakistani first-class players by working through the national and regional academies. This fitness culture has so far, been lacking in our senior and junior players. PCB is currently negotiating terms with Grant Compton of South Africa for this assignment.

j. Medical Commission
A permanent medical commission headed by senior orthopedic consultants, a physician, doctors specialist in sports medicine, and qualified physiotherapists is being set up. This commission will maintain detailed medical reports on national, A team, Under-19 squad members to diagnose and prescribe proper treatment for injuries and ensure remedial, preventive and rehabilitation measures.

k. Talent Scouts Scheme

PCB has decided to introduce a Talent Scouts Scheme to tap cricketing potential particularly at the junior level in far-flung areas or in unfashionable clubs/schools that are outside the circle of organised cricket.
The details of this Talent Scout Scheme will be announced shortly. Young cricketers with potential will be given scholarships for schools and trained at National/Regional academies.

l. Eaglets
The Eaglets, concept is being revived and will comprise visits abroad by school level teams (U-17, U-15 & U-13).

Abbas Zaidi
Consultant Media/PR/Protocol