Limpag: Challenge Cup tickets and PNoy in Panaad

By Mike Limpag

WHEN the Philippine Football Federation announced the final date and venue for the Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup game against Mongolia, it got deluged with ticket inquiries.

When the PFF announced the details on how to secure tickets, the torrent became a flood, and not a few fans, disappointed by a lack of response from the PFF for their inquiries, are venting their frustrations, online.

Relax, folks. There’s no need to panic.

And, for the first time as a sports writer I’m going to say this, give the PFF a break.

The guys there know their job, and, having spent three years under you-know-who, they know what it feels like to be frustrated by the lack of response from the PFF.

So, have a little patience.

They know the Feb. 9 game is not just for the Azkals, it’s the chance for Philippine football and the fans, that’s why I’m pretty sure they are going to work hard to make sure that every one of those who sent in ticket requests, will get them.

Why the delay, though? You have to understand, all ticket reservations are done online and according to Ernest Nierras, the PFF e-mail is filled to capacity.

As an experiment, I timed myself answering hypothetical reservations. On average, it took me 71 seconds to read a ticket request, reply with a standard, “Good day, your request for two tickets have been approved, please check instructions for payment details,” plus “copy-paste” a four-line instruction.

For 1,000 e-mails, that’s 71,000 seconds. Do you know how long that is?

Nineteen hours, 42 minutes plus change. That is if all you do is answer reservation inquiries non-stop. And since all reservations are addressed to one e-mail, only one person can do this job, at a time.

That’s just for 1,000 e-mails.

Based on experience, I think this admin is trying to answer all inquiries. Just a few days back, I got an e-mail from the PFF at five minutes to midnight! That means it’s either they are burning the midnight oil in the House of Football or are taking their office, at home.

And answering e-mails isn’t the only job of the PFF staff. I reckon taking care of the logistics for the Feb. 9 is just as daunting.

Now, what to do if you’ve already booked your airline tickets and hotel in Bacolod but still haven’t received word on your reservations?

Fret not, you still have 10,000 chances in the grandstand. Go to Panaad and since it’s not just a stadium, it’s also a park., spending a few hours there won’t be a bore.

It’s not time to panic yet, this PFF got our backs.

PNOY IN THE AUDIENCE. I was one of those who was rooting for P-Noy to watch the Azkals game but after reading about the experience of some Cebuanos when P-Noy watched the Sinulog, I’m starting to have doubts.

The PSG, as a rule, are paranoid. While I will probably ogle if Maria Sharapova runs naked, they’d see it as a diversion for an imminent attack.

But for the Feb. 9 game, I hope they dial down their paranoia a bit. Yes, pens, spoons and forks could be a threat, but certainly not in the hands of a feeble reporter, right?

(www.football.cebunetwork.com)