Clubs concerned over fake tickets

Thato Kala | Wednesday February 19, 2014 16:18

Santos are not the first club to voice out concern on the issue after Notwane expressed fears they may have lost an estimated P115, 000 in gate takings in their game against Township Rollers in October.

The Gabane outfit, Santos recently took their concern a step further when they told Botswana Premier League (BPL) they would now print their home game tickets to avoid duplications.

In fact, Santos has done their investigations, filed colour printouts of the tickets and are convinced anyone can easily duplicate the ticket.

Mmegi Sport also saw tickets photocopied in colour and could hardly differentiate it from the original, except for the foiling which can easily be overlooked.

BPL chief executive officer, Bennet Mamelodi professed ignorance when asked why the league was still printing tickets for Santos.

Santos printed 10 books with 100 pages each for their recent game against Extension Gunners while the league did 22 books.

Santos spokesperson Victor Sebolao fears inconsistencies could easily arise from such cases.

“On principle, it was a resolution of the assembly that we will do our own tickets now that we are getting 100 percent (gate takings for home teams).  We have control over our own tickets, we will not blame anyone and say tickets were duplicated,” Sebolao told Mmegi Sport.

Clubs resolved at last year’s Assembly in May that they would now print their own tickets. However, this far, Santos is the only club that prints their own while Notwane, who strongly opposed the league’s printing, have not managed to take that step.

Mamelodi said they were aware of duplication concerns, adding they were working hard to rectify the issue.

“There is a security feature on the tickets; it is a golden feature which is an additional foiling that cannot be duplicated. But yes we are aware of those concerns and we are treating the matter with the urgency it deserves,” he said.

On Sunday, fans could be seen selling tickets outside the stadium before the Chiefs-Dynamos CAF Champions League tie. Chiefs’ communications manager, Clifford Mogomotsi said tickets were to be sold at designated outlets and not outside the match venue.