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The VIPs taking over

Jul 09, 2014 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom

It was only a matter of time before the VIPs carved out their own space (in this instance their own stand) for viewing franchise cricket. We have seen it happen at concerts and now we are seeing it happening in cricket.
At this year’s Caribbean Premier League (CPL) matches in Guyana there will be a special VIP stand which has been sold to a local establishment which will in turn sell seats for the three matches of the CPL that will be held in Guyana. Yes, there is now a VIP stand.
A few years ago whenever there were mega concerts in Guyana, there was usually one cover charge. Whether you were rich or poor, you paid one single price to enter. Rich and poor stood next to each other.
Rich and poor gyrated alongside one another to the sounds emanating from the stage. There was no segregation. No special VIP section. Everyone was equal. A fan was a fan no matter the size or depth of your pocket.
That changed because the VIPs, or rather those with money in Guyana, wanted to be able to be closer to the stage. They wanted to sit and have drinks rather than stand with the masses. And so VIP sections were carved out for many mega concerts for those willing to pay four or five times, and in some cases more, than what the average patron paid. These normal patrons were pushed backwards away from the stage.
For the organizers it made economic sense. They were making more money and no one can blame them for doing so. But, from a sociological point of view, this was an important but backward development, because it introduced a certain form of class segregation into these mega concerts.
It was and remains a grave injustice, because the bulk of the persons who supported the artistes that performed at these mega concerts are the ordinary folks.
And yet they lost their right to be closer to the stage, because this was reserved for those who were willing to pay a higher price for access to a VIP section.
It has now happened in cricket. There is now a special VIP stand, the rights of which have been acquired by a private entity operating in Guyana. They are selling tickets at a higher price than what the ordinary fans will be paying for other stands in the National Stadium at Providence.
The two most popular stands at the National Stadium are the Green Stand and the Red Stand. The prices to these stands are usually either a little higher or the same as the Orange Stand.
The Mound has its own support base. But in terms of stands, the usual preference is for Red and Green and if tickets are not available, the fans then buy tickets for the Orange. Well Orange is now a special VIP stand with prices selling at a higher price than the Red and Green Stands.
I think we have to look closely at this development, because today it is the Orange Stand that has been sold out to the VIPs and tomorrow it may be the other two stands.
The whole process may eventually become so elitist, as to exclude the ordinary fans who support cricket not just when there is CPL, but also the less popular regional matches.
If you attend the regional four-day matches, the VIPs are not around. But the ordinary cricket fans are there. Now instead of having three stands to choose from, they are limited to two.
If they cannot secure tickets to Red and Green, they have to pay the VIP prices, that is, if they will get tickets, because the VIPs themselves may buy out all the tickets to the higher-priced Orange Stand.
Fans need to speak out against this development. Not just for cricket but also for many mega concerts. Economic segregation of fans is likely to result. The VIPs may one day be able to buy out all the stands.
There are also Guyanese groups in the Diaspora who may also be putting in bids for stands. At one time there was a special box at Bourda Cricket Ground for a group from overseas.
Those with money will push out those without.  And this will also push ticket prices up. What then will happen to the small man who has always been devoted and passionate in his or her support of West Indian cricket?

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