We Did Not Sell Tickets In The Middle Of The Night-BFA

| Monday May 10, 2010 00:00

On May 3, 2010, BFA announced that it would sell 250 tickets it had received from the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) to interested members of the public on a 'first come first served' basis. To achieve this end, and knowing that there would be more demand than the number of tickets available, BFA decided that as when people arrived at the ticket sale venue, they would be given numbers so that those who arrived before others would be served first in line with the principle of 'first come first served'.

Whilst it was never in doubt that there was a lot of interest in the World Cup tickets, it was not anticipated that people would come to the venue of the sale of tickets as early as they did. Nonetheless, in order not to disadvantage those who came first, people were given numbers and, when it was realised that more numbers than the available tickets had been given out and that it would not serve any purpose to continue giving out more numbers, the process was stopped.

The sale of tickets commenced when the BFA office opened for business after 0800 hours on May 6, 2010. The sale was restricted to those who had numbers and those without numbers were advised accordingly.

 It is incorrect to suggest, as the Radio Botswana news item did, that tickets were sold in the middle of the night. The method of selling tickets, though not the only one that could have been used, was meant to ensure fairness and transparency. Like any other method, it has its shortcomings and BFA regrets the inconvenience suffered by those adversely affected thereby.

It is wrong and grossly unfair to suggest, as some people appear to want the public to believe, that there was some sinister motive or desire to achieve some goal on the part of BFA. Some people, as reported in the news item, alleged corruption on the part of BFA.

The BFA would like to assure the people of Botswana that it chose to sell the tickets on 'first come first served' basis in good faith, with no ill intentions. The fact that the system did not meet everyone's expectations in terms of buying tickets should not mean that the system is bad or that there were ill-intentions on the part of BFA.

The fact of the matter is that BFA is faced with the challenge of high demand for World Cup tickets and yet those that FIFA can make available do not tally with the demand. BFA would like to inform the public that it is endeavouring to get another ticket allocation from FIFA.

To this end, a request for additional ticket allocation has been made to FIFA and the public will be informed as soon as a response is received.

David FaniBFA President