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| June 18, 2005 | Saturday | Jumadi-ul-Awwal 10, 1426 |
Free entry for spectators
LAHORE, June 17: The Punjab Football Association (PFA) will pay through its nose to organize the third and final match between Pakistan and India under floodlights at the Punjab Stadium on Saturday.
The PFA has decided to allow free entry to fans contrary to the Balochistan and NWFP provinces which organized the first and the second games, respectively, and had public get entry through tickets.
Besides, the PFA has failed to attract any sponsor.
PFA President Arshad Khan Lodhi, who is also secretary of Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), admitted that since Punjab would not be able to generate a considerable amount through tickets, it preferred to attract maximum number of fans to the stadium.
“I aim to fill the stadium to capacity and a free entry will help us achieve it,” Mr Lodhi said.
He said he was not thinking about asking PFF for grants at present. “But if the PFF earned some money by the end of the series, the PFA may place a request for some share,” he added.
Lodhi expressed satisfaction over the performance of Pakistan team so far.
“The boys fought well and gave tough time to a superior team in the world ranking (matches) and hopefully Pakistan will (manage to) lock the series 1-1 tomorrow.”
Pakistan held India 1-1 in the first match in Quetta but lost the second 1-0 in Peshawar and now need a win to pull a draw.
He said the PFF had decided to continue providing international exposure to players, and for this purpose it would invite Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka in future. India might also invite Pakistan for a return visit, he added.
The organizing committee chairman Khawer Shah warned that no one would be allowed to bring with him or her any ‘solid’ objects into the stadium.
Khawer said the gates would open at 6:30pm, and the match was scheduled to start at 8:30pm.
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