Bangladesh will take on Hong Kong in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifier on 9 October at the Dhaka National Stadium, and the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has promised a more organised experience for supporters after the chaos of the previous home fixture.
At a press conference held on Wednesday at the BFF House, Competition Committee member Tajwar Awal and Executive Committee member Md Golam Gaus addressed the challenges and improvements planned for the upcoming match.
One of the major concerns from the Singapore game was the ticketing system. Fans faced website crashes and hacking attempts when trying to buy tickets. Tajwar confirmed that tickets for the Hong Kong game will officially go on sale on 28 September through www.quicket.me, although the exact release time has not been finalised.
“This time we have run a trial of 100,000 people at once, and Quicket handled it successfully,” Tajwar said. He also noted that if the platform fails, the company would be liable to compensate BFF with Tk 10 lakh.
Stadium conditions also came under scrutiny. Water prices inside the ground were criticised during the last match, and BFF has assured that issue will be addressed. To enhance the matchday experience, a pre-match show will be arranged, although the participating celebrities are yet to be confirmed.
Financially, BFF is also set to benefit. A new three-party contract involving the federation, event managers and sponsors has been signed, ensuring the organisation will receive a significant share of the revenues from the match.
Security remains another priority. The Singapore game saw breaches as some supporters forced their way in by breaking gates. Tajwar revealed that BFF is in talks with the Army and has opened discussions with the GOC to strengthen security measures. “We are working to ensure the highest level of security, especially with the India fixture coming up in November,” he explained.
Supporter groups have raised concerns too. In the previous game, fan collectives such as Save Bangladesh Football and Bangladeshi Football Ultras were unhappy with their ticket allocations. Tajwar insisted that “every fan is treated equally” and confirmed as of now there is no plan to dedicate spots in gallery for any specific group.
To improve entry procedures, printed ticket copies will no longer be accepted. Fans must present digital tickets on their phones, which will be scanned at the gates to prevent duplication and speed up access.
With ticketing, pricing, and security all under the spotlight, BFF is keen to show that lessons have been learned. The Hong Kong clash is seen as a major test not only for the national team but also for the federation’s ability to stage high-profile fixtures in a safe and professional manner.
