Resentment prevailed among the fans as tickets for the matches involving India and knockout matches of the Hockey World Cup to be hosted by the city this month were all sold out within after one hour after the counters of Kalinga Stadium opened on Monday morning. Many hockey fans also had to return empty-handed from 18 other outlets set up in the city for sale of tickets.
Thousands of fans were seen waiting patiently near gate No. 9 of Kalinga Stadium to get a ticket for the matches featuring the host country. However, the tickets were sold out only in one hour after the counters opened at 10am.
“Online tickets for India matches and the knockout matches have already been sold out and the only chances of getting a ticket for those matches was on Monday. But the tickets were sold out very early and I could not get a ticket for India matches,” said Subrat Sahoo.
Sports department officials remained tight-lipped about the number of tickets kept reserved for online and offline sale. Online sale of tickets had started in May. The capacity of the stadium has been increased to 15,000 from 8,000 with construction of two additional galleries.
Hockey lovers also alleged the tickets of being converted into passes for VIPs and VVIPs. “It is hard to believe that all the tickets were sold out within one hour. As one person can buy only two tickets, we strongly believe that only a few thousands tickets were sold at the counters. The organisers must furnish the details of the tickets sold,” said hockey enthusiast Aruna Jena.
The opening match of the tournament will be played between Belgium and Canada on November 28, while host India will also start its campaign on the same day when they will take on South Africa. The host country will play its next two pool matches against Belgium and Canada on December 2 and 8 respectively. The quarterfinals of the tournament will begin from December 12.
Sports officials said that sale tickets for other matches would continue at the counters. The general tickets have been priced at Rs 200 (east stand), Rs 100 (north and south stand) for the pool and crossover matches.