Why give away free tickets?
"Come on man, take one at least" was what this reporter faced while entering the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium before the Bangladesh-Pakistan Kitply Cup opener began yesterday. It was not a friend offering a piece of candy but a blacker, and one can find at least 10 to 15 of them roaming around the main gate.
Although the ground remained half-filled, there was a lot of reasons for the blackers to get into action. Firstly, it was the return of a tri-series after five years and secondly, a popular foreign outfit was in town. Pakistan is a big hit in Bangladesh, even with a depleted squad and the much-maligned Tigers are unmissable.
So when the blackers gathered the spectators, one was compelled to ask the prices and it was surprising to find that they were willing to sell gallery tickets at the actual price of twenty taka. But the VIP and clubhouse tickets were costly, going at more than 1500 and 1800 each.
When asked where the blackers got the tickets from, it was shocking to learn that he obtained the tickets from a football club. Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) distributed complimentary tickets to a lot of sporting clubs during these games and it is not surprising that these gifts, with a seal that says 'not for sale', are misused.
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