A CURE to rampant ticket pilfering during Zambia’s international games and sometimes in cup games seems to have finally been found.
This past week, the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) announced the plans to introduce computickets for the first time in the nation.
It simply means football fans will no longer be wandering about searching for match tickets from some unscrupulous individuals on the black market but be able to purchase tickets online.
FAZ deserve some kudos for taking this progressive idea which may help in curbing the illegal selling of tickets on the streets.
We have seen how some desperate fans had been duped into buying counterfeit tickets just for them to watch the beautiful game.
Unfortunately, the worst perpetrators of these illegal business deals are some of the FAZ MOCs (Match Organising Committee members) whom I am not sure if they are working with insiders in the association.
For example, during the recent 2014 season-opening Samuel ‘Zoom’ Ndhlovu Charity Shield final at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe, it was visibly clear that there were many fans inside the arena than the tickets FAZ printed and this was exacerbated by recycling of tickets by suspected MOCs.
As a result of recycling tickets, the stadium was packed beyond its capacity. My quick scan showed that the stadium had taken in more fans than it can accommodate.
This posed a danger to both fans themselves and the players on the pitch – a sign that there was no order at the match despite the presence of MOCs, who are tasked to ensure all is well at the stadium.
My personal investigation revealed that a FAZ secretariat staff even caught a senior MOC in the middle of this racket during the Charity Shield.
However, I am not sure if this matter was reported to Football House authorities.
I was even more shocked that even at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola where there is normally orderliness; some MOCs were openly seen selling match tickets at the VIP entrance and other gates for the recent international friendly between Zambia and Uganda.
Little wonder why there was a near fracas at Gates S1 and E8 when some excited fans started lighting up flares to celebrate Zambia’s two goals.
This was so because some of the MOCs were too busy with their ticket business.
The world football governing body, FIFA does not take kindly to such acts of uncivilised celebrations in the terraces during games.
By the way, who re-appointed the MOCs since last time I checked the Copperbelt group was dissolved last year.
However, I will not delve into the appointment of MOCs but I can only advise FAZ to clean up this messy situation.
Should we compromise the safety of thousands of fans just to satisfy a few individuals’ selfish interests.
I now hope FAZ will move fast to implement the electronic ticketing system which most countries now are using including in nearby South Africa.
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Next Sunday, I will discuss the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup Costa Rica 2014 which I am currently attending in San Jose including some of the feedback from the readers. E-mail:malungaf@gmail.com