Bengaluru: June 4, 2025 — a date that left an indelible mark on the city’s sports scene. The tragic loss of 11 lives outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium during Royal Challengers Bangalore’s maiden IPL title celebrations continues to resonate deeply.As the defending champions begin their title defense at home, both the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) and the Bengaluru-based franchise have taken steps to honor the memory of the young victims, including a 14-year-old.In the run-up to the season opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Saturday, the KSCA will unveil a commemorative plaque near the wall, near the inner entrance of the stadium. The tribute aims to create a lasting space for remembrance within the venue that witnesses both joy and tragedy.In a further gesture, 11 seats inside the stadium will be permanently preserved in memory of those who lost their lives. These seats will not be sold for any match including international matches. The seats are expected to be located close together in a premier stand, enclosing the area as a mark of respect.On the day of the match, Royal Challengers Bengaluru will also pay tribute before the start of the game. The names of the victims will be displayed inside the stadium followed by a minute’s silence. The guest team is also expected to participate in the commemoration ceremony.
The commemorative plaque will be a similar memorial at Anfield Stadium to the Hillsborough Memorial, which commemorates the 97 Liverpool fans who died on 15 April 1989 after being crushed during the FA Cup semi-final at Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield.Confirming KSCA’s plans, President Venkatesh Prasad “It is painful to even think about the tragic incident. But we have been talking about the memorial for some time with the managing committee and other key stakeholders and collectively felt that it is important to honor the memory of the 11 people. We do not want to rekindle any pain; instead, remember them. That is why we have decided to cut short the lives of cricket fans,” he told TOI. On the marked seats, Prasad refused to divulge information and said, “It is a joint decision between the KSCA and the franchise as they are an integral part of the Chinnaswamy Stadium.”RCB CEO Rajesh Menon was not available for comment.Following the return of competitive cricket to the Channaswamy Stadium, the tribute ensures that the memory of those who lost their lives remains woven into the fabric of the venue where they gathered to celebrate.
