The front row reserved for handicapped fans at Wankhede Stadium. The blue carpet area is for wheelchairs. Pic /Suresh Karkera
There’s some good news for all physically challenged fans. The Indian Premier League (IPL) Mumbai Venue Operations team, Mumbai Indians (MI) and the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) have made special arrangements to make Wankhede Stadium easily accessible for the physically challenged.
To make the area easily accessible for wheelchairs and crutches, the organisers have removed the front row of seats at ground level from L-024 to L-048 in the Vijay Merchant Stand. The next row of seats are reserved for anyone accompanying them. Handicapped fans can buy tickets online or from the counter by producing necessary documents and can also inform the organisers of any special needs or requirements. The toilets at ground floor are also open for the special fans.
Though initially there were plans to make such arrangements at different parts of the stadium, it is learnt that lack of demand and easy accessibility have made the organisers earmark this particular area. “This part of the stadium is easily accessible by wheelchairs and it is not very far from the main gate, so we decided to ear mark this area for the physically challenged fans,” said MCA Joint Secretary Dr PV Shetty.
“There hasn’t been much demand for these seats. There was just one disabled fan in the last match,” added a source closely associated with the Mumbai franchisee.