Rinku Singh’s remarkable six during a T20I match at St George’s Park has caused noticeable damage, shedding light on persistent maintenance problems. Over a year has passed, yet repairs haven’t progressed due to tight budgets.
New Delhi: It’s been over a year since Rinku Singh hit a remarkable six in a T20I match against South Africa, leaving a noticeable crack in the press box at St George’s Park in Gqeberha. His powerful shot aimed at Aiden Markram not only displayed his impressive skills as a batsman but also revealed underlying issues in stadium maintenance.
Rinku Singh’s six broke media box glass. 🔥
– Rinku is insane…!!!!#INDvsSA
pic.twitter.com/UptQfhDCKX
— NO CONTEXT VIBE (@No_Context_Vibe) December 12, 2023
Thirteen months later, the glass panel near the Graeme Pollock pavilion remains broken. Budget constraints at the stadium have stalled repairs, raising safety concerns as the third edition of the SA20 league nears. Another six from MI Cape Town’s Dewald Brewis nearly hit the same area, underscoring the urgent need for action.
Former South African cricketer Dale Steyn humorously pointed out the aftermath of Singh’s shot, but the truth is that fixing the damage presents quite a challenge. The glass panels are made from safety glass, which is designed to crack in a way that keeps shards from flying, ensuring spectator safety. However, replacing this specialized glass comes with a hefty price tag and logistical hurdles.
The cost of replacing the damaged panel is substantial since safety glass is pricier than regular glass. In addition, the stadium has other ongoing maintenance issues to tackle, like the roofs and scoreboards, which further stretches the financial resources.
“To some people, they have an eye for maintenance. I usually say to my people and colleagues. This stadium doesn’t belong to us. I am just passing through here. I will be here for a couple of years tops, and then I will be gone. This stadium belongs to the municipality. And we are the custodians. When the members of the public walk in here, they look at the stadium and probably think, ‘Are these people looking after our assets?” And I say to them, ‘I want to be remembered that I’d done a good job,” Terrance said.
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