A year ago, Bangladesh played two matches against Maldives in World Cup qualifiers. One is in Male and the other is at Kings Arena in Dhaka. The red-greens are going to play two matches again this month against Maldives. But not the World Cup selection, this time it is a FIFA friendly match. Discussions are currently going on about the tickets for the two matches at the Kings Arena.
This time the ticket price has been kept at 800,500 and 300 taka. Last time it was between Tk 200,300 and Tk 500. Besides, the price of the courtesy ticket was Rs. 3000.
Criticism is going on in sports pages on social media over the increase in ticket prices. Kings Arena is in a corner of Dhaka. Transportation is also not that convenient. It is also to be noted that there is no other option but King's Arena as the Bangabandhu National Stadium is under renovation. Besides, in the last 16 years, Buff has not been able to build its own stadium. There is reluctance of Bafuf to organize matches in Sylhet or any other stadium outside Dhaka. So trust Kings Arena.
King's Arena has a seating capacity of 7,000. A person named Tajim Uddin wrote on Facebook about the ticket price of this field, 'Ticket prices are high according to the quality of the game. First you have to play to win the hearts of the audience, then people will watch the game even if it is a ticket of thousands of rupees.
Badal Khan regularly goes to the football field and watches the game. He said, 'I think the ticket price is high in the current context. There is an increase in commodity prices. Besides, common people are facing various problems. Now the game is a form of entertainment. At least the ticket price would have been better.'
BAFF general secretary Imran Hossain Tushar, however, considered the ticket price reasonable in the current situation and told the Bangla Tribune, 'We are not giving any courtesy tickets this time. If you want to watch the game, you have to buy a ticket from the bank. This time the ticket price is right. What has been increased is not unreasonable. As one spends to watch a movie, one will have to play. It is also a form of entertainment. Tickets are in demand from what I hear.'
Two matches will be held on November 13 and 16. Match tickets are being sold at Bashundhara branches of Social Islami and South East Bank.
