TEAM HERALD
sports@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: The Dempo-Salgaocar Derby match in the I-League on Sunday which saw a good attendance fetched Rs 78,000 as gate collection.
“It was no doubt a record crowd for the current I-League, the best in the season,” stated a GFA Executive Committee member involved in the organising panel.
There have been conflicting reports about the figure as tickets are priced at Rs 30 uniformly, which translates into 2,600 spectators only. Admitting that about 4000 passes have been issued and another 5000 complimentaries issued by the host club and the other playing team, the total adds to 11,600. “The figure of 10,000 looks to be more realistic,” remarked a fan who has never missed a single I-league match till date. The East Stand was empty with parts of South stand occupied and the West Stand almost full. The stadium capacity has been estimated at 26,000.
“The clubs have introduced several frills and have gone out of their way with live performances and what not, but the attendance figures have been rather disappointing,” voiced a Salcete-based fan. And, the expenditure involved with the off-match programmes have been borne by the clubs hosting the match of the day.
Many have been wondering as to why the response has been still lukewarm for the premier league matches and have been apprehensive about higher turn out once the floodlights are switched on.
Time for someone to undertake a research on the matter, as once pointed out by Salgaocar secretary R A J Gomes, or else one will be groping in the dark.
