SEA Games spark unprecedented sports fever
(KPL) Yesterday morning the Laotian capital saw an unprecedented sports fever when thousands of local and foreign football fans flocked to buy tickets for the semifinal match between Laos and Malaysia on 14 December at the National Stadium.
Since dawn the fans headed to the office of the official ticket distributor – Vongkhanty Construction Company, Hongkaykeo village, Chanthaboury district.
The accumulation of the huge crowd resulted in the blocking of four roads heading to the headquarters of the official ticket distributor office.
“Many came here at around 3-4 a.m. but they could not buy any tickets. Moreover some children and women reportedly fell unconscious while waiting to buy tickets,” said a buyer who wanted to be anonymous. Due to such a huge number of buyers, the SEA Games ticket distributor had to change their earlier plan to sell tickets at one outlet.
The new decision came at around 10 am, which allowed sales at five different outlets.
“I managed to buy tickets at around 11 am at the Xangpheuak Restaurant,” said Mr. Saysavanh, Chommany Neua villager.
Mr. Saysavanh said that he left home at around five in the morning and waited for five hours before he could buy two tickets for the Monday’s match.
“People complained that the ticket sales should be reconsidered as it would be more convenient to distribute though more outlets instead of one. That would be able to take a larger number of people,” said Mr. Saysavanh.
“I realise that Lao people are excited to know that the Lao football team has sailed into the semifinal. That triggers fans’ eagerness to cheer their team,” Mr. Mithpasong Mingnakhone, an enthusiast ticket buyer, who made a comment after seeing a huge number of people waiting to buy tickets.
President of Vongkhanty Irrigation Construction Company, Mr. Phankham Vongkhanty, said on Saturday that each person could buy three tickets at most but most people said they managed to take only two each yesterday.
Source: KPL Lao News Agency
December 14, 2009
