The coins you surrender at Wankhede Stadium go to a temple

If you are a regular at Wankhede Stadium for the T20 matches and wonder what happens to the coins that are collected at the security checkpoints, you need not worry. Coins are strictly prohibited for all T20 and international matches due to players' security concerns. Invariably, spectators have a few coins on them as they enter Wankhede stadium premises. The loose change is surrendered and taken away by the security guards.

What happens to all that cash? It is handed over to the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), who then donate the coins to the Hanuman temple at Marine Lines. "We don't open the boxes containing the coins which are locked. After every game or two, we take them to the temple. We have no business in dealing with that money. It is none of our concern. So, the best way is to donate them," an MCA official told mid-day yesterday.

"Earlier, when the no-coins rule was introduced in the 2011 World Cup, we used to collect a lot of coins, but now, since many people are aware of the rule, there isn't much collection," the official added. Security guards at the gates claim that coins collected every game amount to Rs 2,000 to 4,000.

Chennai, Hyderabad jerseys and caps for free
Ahead of the T20 Qualifier 1 yesterday, Hyderabad and Chennai distributed free t-shirts and jerseys inside and outside the stadium to ensure they have sizeable number of fans in the stands. While some loyal fans had previously bought their team's jersey and headgear, neutral fans were tempted to pick up a t-shirt or a cap of the team they wanted to root for.

Also Read: T20 exhibition tie: Thriller at Wankhede amidst poor turn-out

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