Team Herald
sports@herald-goa.com
FATORDA: FC Goa fans waited for hours in the long queues on Friday morning as one person was granted four tickets each to their home team’s opening fixture against Delhi Dynamos on October 4, at the Nehru Stadium, here.
Tickets sale went online on Friday post 2 p.m and will be also available at the notified venues on subsequent days between 10 a.m and 7 p.m, subject to availability.
Although the sale of tickets at the counter near the swimming pool complex at Fatorda started at 2 p.m, eager and excited FC Goa followers did not take chances and lined up early in the morning.
FC Goa have partnered with online ticketing portal BookMyShow.com for ticket sales.
Tickets at the North and South Stands which were priced at Rs 250 have already been sold out online.
The remaining available tickets are priced at Rs 480 (East stand), Rs 1,032 (West stand) and Rs 3,870 (Corporate Boxes). Season passes for home matches are also be available.
The fans also waited patiently at other box offices across the State at Duler Stadium, Mapusa Café Coffee Day outlets at Margao; Bambolim, Panjim and Colva.
Some fans were satisfied to get their hands on the tickets while other complained of the high pricing which has doubled from last season sales.
“I am satisfied with the organization this time,” said Milson Rebello from Maina.
While Elison D’Mello from Margao expressed dissatisfaction about the pricing of tickets and felt that at least the youth should have be given some discount.
On the other hand, Santan Gomes was happy about the sale of tickets and pricing. “It’s the FC Goa management’s decision and one has to agree,” stated Gomes.
Dilip D’Silva from Varca complained of lack of information provided by the organizers on the sale of tickets at the venues.
However, the tickets pricing will not dampen the spirits of some fans. “Increase in ticket pricing was bound to happen as we have a smaller stadium capacity compared to the other ISL venues and a huge fan following. I will be watching some home games at the Stadium. It’s a different feeling all together,” felt Oyestein Fernandes from Caranzalem.
“Yes. I will still go for the matches as the love for the sport runs in my veins and I don’t think there’s anything wrong in doubling up the ticket prices, provided a part of the tickets sale fund is utilized for the betterment of the sport with regard to better training facilities for youngsters, roping in international football players to train local players, improving the parking facilities and infrastructure around the present Fatorda stadium which becomes a worst parking nightmare on the match days,” opined Elvis Fernandes from Taleigao.
“The ticket rates this time is too much. By raising the prices it looks like the organizers are here to make money and not doing it for the love of football. Also the crowd will be less due to rise in ticket prices. But I will not mind to pay to see stars like Roberto Carlos and Lucio,” remarked FC Goa fan Kevin Fernandes.
“I definitely feel it’s not the right move as this league was aimed at promoting the beautiful game among youngsters. Goa currently needs a bigger stadium so that everyone can be able to watch the games and the organizers also can get a fair share of the ticket collections,” felt another FC Goa follower Joseph Lazarus.
