Bhubaneswar, Dec 3: Over 100 hockey fans returned disappointed from the ticket counter at the Kalinga Stadium Wednesday evening after they found that it was closed at 5pm.
According to the Hockey India (HI) officials, the counter remains open till 5pm while the helpline number for tickets remains open till 7pm. However, fans suggested that HI should keep the counters open till late as the online tickets are costlier and many while returning home from office want to purchase tickets.
“It is unfair that the counter is closed so early and we are forced to buy online,” said Rudra Madhav Mishra, a student of BJB college, who had come with his five friends to buy ticket from the venue. “At least there should have been some more counters in the city. And this counter should remain open till late as many people become free only in the evening,” demanded Soumya Ranjan, a second year MBA student in a local college here.
Some of the local fans are also complaining that India have been unfairly placed in a tough group with the Netherlands and Germany while arch rivals Pakistan are in a relatively weaker group with an injury-hit World Champions Australia, England and Belgium.