Asia

Ticketing problems persist at Asian Games

Ticketing problems are continuing to affect the Asian Games after hundreds of people queued for hours yesterday (Tuesday) to be told that certain events had sold out.

The Games are taking place in Jakarta and Palembang in Indonesia, and got underway on Saturday.

Ticketing management company KiosTix had been appointed to sell tickets for the multi-sport event but after its system encountered problems ahead of Saturday’s opening ceremony, some fans were unable to buy tickets. KiosTix subsequently partnered with Blibli.com, which is now offering tickets for fans.

However, problems have persisted this week with many fans left disappointed after being told that some events had sold out. The AFP news agency reported that queues “dozens of metres long” formed at Jakarta’s Gelora Bung Karno stadium, with some fans eventually told that tickets had sold out.

One fan, Awang, who goes by one name, told AFP: “I want to buy badminton tickets for me and my wife. We don’t know whether there are any left, I hope so otherwise I would collapse. I’ve waited here in the heat for hours.”

Advance-sale tickets are not offered and as a result fans need to queue on the day.

Attempting to explain the situation to AFP, Eris Heriyanto, secretary general of the Games’ organising committee, said: “Today is the day where the integrated ticketing system starts to take over (from KiosTix to Blibli), perhaps the long queues are because of that.”

The Games will run until September 2 and will feature athletes from 45 countries competing across more than 60 sporting disciplines.

Image: baka_neko_baka