Sports

IIE DIGITAL DESK : The recent report has revealed that the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchise was advised by local police to hold their Women's Premier League (WPL) victory celebrations on Sunday instead of Saturday, the day initially chosen by the team. The development unfolded amid a debate between the franchise and the city police over the timing and logistics of the event that celebrated RCB’s maiden WPL title win.

RCB, who clinched their first-ever title in the Women’s Premier League earlier this year, had planned a grand victory parade in Bengaluru. The victory celebration was initially scheduled for Saturday, a day when the city’s streets are typically bustling with traffic and weekend crowd. The police, anticipating potential disruptions in traffic and law and order situations, reportedly requested the franchise to postpone the celebrations to Sunday when traffic flow is relatively lighter.

The city police made it clear that managing a crowd of thousands in central Bengaluru, especially on a Saturday, would be a challenge. They advised that holding the event on Sunday would allow smoother traffic diversions and better crowd management. The advice was issued keeping public convenience and civic order in mind.

The RCB management is said to have resisted the suggestion initially, citing prior arrangements, schedules of players, and commitments with sponsors and broadcasters. The team had already announced the parade to fans and stakeholders and was hesitant to alter the plans at the last moment. Sources familiar with the developments said the franchise argued that several high-profile players had flight bookings and other commitments that might be difficult to reschedule.

The police had to firmly remind the franchise that any event on public roads requires their clearance, especially one expected to draw thousands of fans. Eventually, after back-and-forth discussions, the RCB management agreed to shift the celebration to Sunday, albeit reluctantly.

The final parade took place with much fanfare on Sunday, drawing large crowds as RCB players including captain Smriti Mandhana and star performers like Ellyse Perry and Renuka Singh took an open-bus ride through the city. Fans lined up along the streets to cheer for their heroes, with banners, chants, and the team anthem reverberating through Bengaluru’s MG Road and Brigade Road stretches.

The police ensured tight security arrangements, with multiple traffic diversions and crowd-control personnel deployed along the route. The event concluded peacefully, and the city police received praise for their handling of the massive crowd that turned out.

This development has sparked discussions around event planning and public safety, especially for sporting events that gather large public attention. City police officials later clarified that while they fully supported the celebration, coordination between civic authorities and private organisers is key to ensuring the safety and convenience of all citizens.

The RCB victory in the WPL has been a major talking point in Indian cricket, especially given the franchise’s long-standing drought in the men’s IPL. Fans, both men and women, celebrated the moment as a breakthrough for the team and for women's cricket overall. The franchise has since shared glimpses of their celebration on social media, thanking fans for their support and the police for facilitating a safe event.