Indian cricket fans stumped by ticket problems by AFP

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Event:

India in Pakistan 2005/06

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DateLine: 14th February 2006

 

Indian cricket fans complained Monday that they had to overcome ticketing and immigration problems to watch the third one-day international between Pakistan and India in Lahore.

 

Around 4,500 fans crossed the border on Sunday then had to wait several hours to pick up tickets they had booked on the Internet -- and some missed the first half of the match because they were still waiting on Monday.

 

Three people were also injured on Sunday as thousands tried to rush across the border at Wagah, near Lahore, to see the match between the long-time South Asian rivals.

 

"I got my ticket after 18 hours of struggle and it was a bitter experience," said Manish Kumar, who came from Rohtak in Haryana, India.

 

Fans criticised Pakistani authorities for only giving three-day visas for the game at Gaddafi Stadium.

 

"We have got only a three-day visa and after travelling on Sunday we will have to go back on Tuesday which is a very short period. Apart from cricket we can't do anything else," said fan Amrit Sethi.

 

"I spent the whole Sunday in the queue for the ticket. I appeal to both countries to relax the visa process. It is a must -- it is more important than opening rail tracks and air and bus links," added Sethi, an eye surgeon.

 

Hundreds of Indian fans lined up outside a Lahore hotel from early Sunday morning and were still busy getting their tickets until Monday afternoon. Some of them shouted at authorities for missing the first half of the match.

 

The official in charge of the Internet ticket sale, Sohail Ahmed, blamed the trouble on Indian fans failing to follow instructions.

 

"We gave PIN codes to fans who booked tickets through the Internet and they had to show the number at the Pakistan High Consulate to get the visas. Some of them did not follow the process which caused the problem," Ahmed said.

 

"Some of the fans did not understand the problem we faced in distributing the tickets among 3,500 fans in just one day," Ahmed said.

 

But history professor Pranjit Singh said he forgot all his problems after watching the match. "We all have to face problems to see a quality match like India and Pakistan play," he added.

 

Some were lucky enough to get ten-day visas and they booked tickets for the last three matches.

 

"You need wisdom to avoid troubles. I booked tickets for three matches so I got ten-day visa and faced no problems. Apart from cricket I want to visit holy places," said Harbinder Singhal.

 

Pakistan and India are tied at 1-1 in the five-match one-day series. The fourth match is scheduled for Multan on February 16 and the fifth and last is in Karachi on February 19.

(Article: Copyright © 2006 AFP)