Fennel admits glitches, Kalmadi says things are fine

NEW DELHI - Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) president Michael Fennel Sunday said there were problems in ticket sales and in the transport system, but Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi argued that things were “generally fine”.

Sanjeev Mittal, ticketing head of the Commonwealth Games, was sacked Saturday after a series of complaints in ticket sales. Monica Jolly has succeeded Mittal.

The decision was taken Saturday following complaints of irregularities in the ticket sales. While spectators were told that tickets of many events were sold out, the stadiums remained half-empty.

Fennell, who has ordered an enquiry into the irregularities, said at a press meet: “We continue to get reports that people are not being able to buy tickets.”

Assuring that things were being sorted out, Kalmadi said: “People are flocking to stadiums to watch the events. Boxing, wrestling and swimming are attracting huge crowds. We can do better in archery and shooting.

“We have printed 10 percent extra tickets and are distributing them for free to stakeholders. Generally things are in place,” he said.

Two people, including a woman, were arrested in the capital Saturday on charges of illegally selling Games tickets.

The Organising Committee attributed the shortage of tickets to the delay in their printing.

Of the 1.7 million Commonwealth Games tickets, the bulk reached counters here a day after the Opening Ceremony — some so late they ended up with the scrap dealer.

Jolly, the new ticketing head, said that corporates were also responsible for the ticketing bungle.

“In India the market starts late when people buy tickets at the last moment. So when the sale of tickets started in June, there was a lot of bulk buying by corporates for promotional activities. They later did not turn up.”

Fennel said they have now been assured by the organisers that in order to fill up the stands, athletes will be allowed to watch any event they want just by showing their accreditation cards.

He also said that they were closely monitoring the security system, especially in the Games Village. He was appreciative of the efforts of the volunteers.

While Fennel mentioned that there have been a few glitches in the transport system, Kalmadi said: “Athletes and officials are happy. There are no complaints about the transport. Things are on track.”