By IANS,
New Delhi: A day after India presented a spectacular show at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games here, the sporting event’s organisers Monday reported a jump in demand for tickets of the closing ceremony and competition events.
The Games helpline providing information about the tickets has been flooded with calls inquiring about tickets.
“Our phone has been ringing continuously since 6 a.m. and people want to know about the availability of tickets,” an official managing the helpline told IANS.
“The demand for tickets, especially for the closing ceremony and sports like tennis and swimming, has gone up after the opening ceremony,” the official said.
The Games Organising Committee runs two toll free helplines – 18001021294 and 18002001294 – for booking tickets. The call centre services for booking tickets is available from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Besides, people can buy tickets online and from tickets counters at various places across the city.
The tickets of the closing ceremony cost Rs.750, Rs.4,000, Rs.20,000 and Rs.50,000.
“We have exhausted all tickets of Rs.750 denomination but still have tickets in other categories. People have been booking tickets of Rs.4,000 in order to not to miss the closing ceremony,” said the official.
The great show put up by the host country during the Games’ inauguration ceremony Sunday attracted many as they made calls to ask about the tickets.
“After the opening ceremony I really don’t want to miss the closing ceremony. I was told that Rs.750 tickets are sold out and now I am thinking to buy a Rs.4,000 ticked,” said Radhika Gupta, a homemaker.
The bad telecast of the opening ceremony also made many to think of buying the closing ceremony tickets.
“I had thought that it will be better to watch the ceremony on TV but now I am regretting as the Doordarshan telecast was bad. I will not take a chance again and will buy the ticket for the closing ceremony,” said Ramesh Singh, a IT professional.
Unable to buy tickets for the opening ceremony tickets, some of the people are buying tickets for swimming and track and field events.
“I have bought tickets for swimming event at S.P. Mukherjee Stadium and I am looking forward to it,” said Rama Srinivasan.
The tickets of the opening ceremony were sold out two days before the the event on Sunday.
The opening ceremony kick started the sporting extravaganza which will end Oct 14. More than 6,000 artistes took part in the opening ceremony.
The opening ceremony got rave reviews from foreign and India media bringing cheers on the faces organising committee members, who earlier faced criticism due to infrastructure delays and shoddy preparations.