October 8, 2003	Wednesday	Sha’aban 11, 1424

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window)

FAISALABAD, Oct 7: Hundreds of cricket fans possessing valid tickets were denied entry into Iqbal Stadium due to poor arrangements made by the local administration in the third One-day International between Pakistan and South Africa on Tuesday.

On the contrary, hundreds of holders of free passes issued by the local administration and the Divisional Cricket Association succeeded in occupying the VIP seats of almost all the enclosures.

The press gallery for the local media was also occupied by the relatives and friends of the local administration officials.

A good number of men, women and children including some female students were also disappointed when they were refused entry into the stadium for want of space.

Hundreds of cricket-fans possessing tickets of Rs. 100/- to Rs. 1000/- in value were also seen running from pillar to post for their entry.

But all their efforts proved futile as the stadium was already jam-packed. They alleged that the district administration with the connivance of DCA issued hundreds of free passes to their favourites due to which genuine ticket-holders were deprived of watching the match.

Some of them also chanted slogans against officials of the PCB and the local administration for failure in making suitable arrangements for entry of ticket-holders.