In a momentous gesture, Jay Shah, the Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has handed out “Golden Tickets” to several iconic figures in India ahead of the hosting of the One-Day International (ODI) World Cup. These Golden Tickets, bestowed by the BCCI, are aimed at promoting and publicizing the World Cup. Recipients of these exclusive tickets will not only have the privilege to witness all World Cup matches from the ground zero but will also be treated to VIP services.
“Golden Tickets for India Icons” Program
One remarkable initiative by the BCCI that has captured the imagination of cricket aficionados is the “Golden Ticket for India Icons” program, which commenced on September 5.
What is the Golden Ticket?
The Golden Ticket is part of the “Golden Ticket for India Icons” program initiated by the BCCI. It is designed to honor India’s greatest personalities. This ticket grants its holders the opportunity to watch all Cricket World Cup matches live from the stadium.
A Star-Studded Guest List
The list of recipient for this prestigious golden reads like a who’s who of Indian icons. It began with the legendary Amitabh Bachchan, followed by cricketing maestro Sachin Tendulkar and most recently, the enigmatic superstar of Indian cinema, Rajinikanth. Each of these luminaries received a ticket that symbolizes their monumental contributions to the nation.
Gavaskar’s Suggestions
Recently, the legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar praised BCCI’s initiative and suggested some notable personalities who should be recipients of the Golden Ticket. Among these suggestions are two World Cup-winning captains, Kapil Dev and MS Dhoni. In addition to them, Gavaskar proposed the inclusion of ISRO Chief S. Somnath, Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra, table tennis maestro Sharath Kamal and tennis star Rohan Bopanna as well.
Release of the 2023 World Cup Anthem
The organizers of the 2023 Cricket World Cup in India have released the tournament’s anthem song, titled “Dil Jashn Bole” (Let the Heart Celebrate). This anthem was composed by music director Pritam and adds to the excitement surrounding the mega tournament.
Beginning of the 2023 World Cup
The 2023 ODI World Cup in India is set to kick off on October 5th, with the final match scheduled for November 19th. The tournament’s opening match will feature England and Pakistan. India, on the other hand, will commence its World Cup campaign against Australia on October 8th. Once again, all eyes will be on India’s quest to claim the World Cup title. This edition of the World Cup features participation from ten teams, promising a thrilling competition.