Posted by: _____ October 7, 2010
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NEW DELHI: As some of the disciplines in the Commonwealth Games continue to stage in front of near-empty stands, Organising Committee Chairman Suresh Kalmadi on Thursday claimed that the ticket sales were "surging" day by day.
"We are looking into that. Ticket sales are picking up and the stadia
are getting filled up in many events. There was real surge in sales of
tickets as Indians are winning medals," Kalmadi told a press conference.
He also added that the disciplines like rugby 7s, swimming and boxing, where Beijing Olympic bronze medallist Vijender Singh is taking part, are being watched by considerable number of people.
"Yesterday 1.25 lakh tickets were sold. All tickets of rugby have been
sold out, 100 per cent tickets of boxing and badminton semi-final are
finished. 80 per cent tickets of tennis and swimming competitions are
also sold out," Kalmadi said.
His comments came even when stars
like Olympic champion shooter Abhinav Bindra and tennis player Sania
Mirza performed in front of empty seats.
Mike Fennell, Chief of Commonwealth Games Federation, expressed his concern over the poor turnout of the spectators.
"Yes, we are concerned about that and we continue to work on that," he said.
Asked about the athletics medal ceremony being held in front of empty
stands of Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fennell admitted that there were
some logistical problems.
"This continues to be a problem we
have in last event. I have seen such things crop up even in the Olympic
Games in Beijing. There is some logistical problem," Fennell said.
"I do agree that medal ceremony should be held in front of audience.
This is a matter that concerns us and it also depends on the athletes'
availability," he added.
Joint Director General of the OC,
Sanjeev Mittal who was also present at the conference, said security and
transport "hassles" were not a dampener for spectators keen to watch
the events.
"It (ticket sales) is increasing day by day. I
don't think security hassles and availability of transports can play
dampener," he said.
"We are looking into that. Ticket sales are picking up and the stadia
are getting filled up in many events. There was real surge in sales of
tickets as Indians are winning medals," Kalmadi told a press conference.
He also added that the disciplines like rugby 7s, swimming and boxing, where Beijing Olympic bronze medallist Vijender Singh is taking part, are being watched by considerable number of people.
"Yesterday 1.25 lakh tickets were sold. All tickets of rugby have been
sold out, 100 per cent tickets of boxing and badminton semi-final are
finished. 80 per cent tickets of tennis and swimming competitions are
also sold out," Kalmadi said.
His comments came even when stars
like Olympic champion shooter Abhinav Bindra and tennis player Sania
Mirza performed in front of empty seats.
Mike Fennell, Chief of Commonwealth Games Federation, expressed his concern over the poor turnout of the spectators.
"Yes, we are concerned about that and we continue to work on that," he said.
Asked about the athletics medal ceremony being held in front of empty
stands of Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fennell admitted that there were
some logistical problems.
"This continues to be a problem we
have in last event. I have seen such things crop up even in the Olympic
Games in Beijing. There is some logistical problem," Fennell said.
"I do agree that medal ceremony should be held in front of audience.
This is a matter that concerns us and it also depends on the athletes'
availability," he added.
Joint Director General of the OC,
Sanjeev Mittal who was also present at the conference, said security and
transport "hassles" were not a dampener for spectators keen to watch
the events.
"It (ticket sales) is increasing day by day. I
don't think security hassles and availability of transports can play
dampener," he said.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/commonwealth-games-2010/news/Ticket-sales-are-picking-up-Kalmadi/cwgarticleshow/6705319.cms