Free passes elude venue managers

Even as the stands at Delhi University stadium wore a deserted look, training venue managers from various colleges were not given any complimentary passes for the Rugby Sevens match on Monday.

Even as the stands at Delhi University stadium wore a deserted look, training venue managers from various colleges were not given any complimentary passes for the Rugby Sevens match on Monday.

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"We did not get any passes from anyone. We have been preparing for the event for so long. However, neither the venue owners (principals), nor the managers got any passes," said SK Chakravorty, Training Venue Manager, St Stephen’s College.

"We are people who understand the game and its technicalities, but there aren’t any passes for us. Not even for the college principals," he rued.

"I had bought the pass for rugby a week in advance. When my friend tried to buy a ticket later, he didn't get any. Strangely, the stands were empty," said R Raghav, a DU student.

Some training venue managers arranged a few passes from elsewhere.

"When we asked the Organising Committee members about the passes, they said there was no policy to distribute complimentary passes to managers.

"Had it not been for my friend, I would have missed the match," said a training venue manager, who did not wish to be named.

Many also alleged that complimentary passes were sold in the black market near the venues.