Shillong, Aug 26: It could be the moment where Shillong cements for itself a reputation for being a sporting destination or it could very well result in complete chaos – organisers, especially the state government, will be crossing their fingers as the highly anticipated Durand Cup semifinal takes place on Monday.
Kick-off at the JN Stadium in Polo will be at 5:30PM. (Read our match preview here.)
With a local side, Shillong Lajong FC, and one based in Guwahati, NorthEast United FC, the excitement has been of a level not seen too many times before, with thousands of fans lining up for hours in serpentine queues on Saturday in the search of a ticket or two.
Online ticket systems seemed to crash under the weight of the traffic, ticket counters had to turn away fans or limit the number of tickets they could buy. There were tales of people fainting in line and of no arrangements for disabled or elderly ticket-seekers. It appeared that Meghalaya had bitten off more than it could chew.
The government then rushed to try and alleviate the problem by promising to screen the match in public venues around the city and the state. Nevertheless, a strong security presence is expected on Monday in and around the stadium.
The public have also been warned that no tickets will be sold at the ground on match day. The government also cautioned the public not to be fooled by ticket scammers and touts – reselling tickets is illegal and many promises of tickets are actually fake, a press release said yesterday.
The previous Durand Cup matches in the city have seen sizeable crowds but it has been noticed and commented upon that many rows of seats are always empty, thereby calling into question the claims that tickets are sold out. People on social media have also been critical due to the perception, whether real or imagined, that far too many seats are occupied by those who received complimentary passes or tickets thanks to their connections or positions, rather than the paying public.
Such has been the level criticism that the government felt called upon to address all these issues in its press release.
It stated that the stadium’s capacity is around 15,000. This is actually less than what used to be claimed regarding the capacity of the old pre-renovation stadium, which was said to have held 25,000 or more spectators.
“In order to manage aspects of safety, protocols of national-level football conduct and commitments to sponsors that make such games possible (branding, signages that impede view of the match), the first four rows of the North/South stands and first two rows of the East Stand have been kept unsold,” the release, issued by the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs, said.
On the allegations surrounding complimentary tickets, the release said that a “minimal”, yet undisclosed, number has been approved by the organising committee and state government to “fulfil the sponsor requirements and organising committee requirements”. The two teams have also received 100 tickets each.
No one without a ticket will be allowed within the vicinity of the stadium after 12 noon, the release added. Instead, fans who want something of the experience an in-person attendance brings can watch the game on giant screens at several venues in Shillong – Malki Ground, Golf Links, Mawlai Madan Heh, Laitumkhrah Police Point parking lot, Umpling, Khyndailad, Rynjah PHC, NEHU community hall – or further afield – Ladthadlaboh in Jowai, Pahamsyiem in Nongpoh, Patharkhmah, Mawkyrwat, Baghmara, DC Park in Tura, Resubelpara, Williamnagar and Nongstoin.
The last couple of days haven’t been what the organisers would’ve wanted to see in terms of news reports and unrelenting (and oftentimes witty) social media memes and jokes, but all can be forgiven if a good show is delivered on Monday – in terms of organisation as well as the game. May the best team win!
(File photos)
