XXI Sea Games rides on Internet wave
Gone are the days when Sea Games fans had to make multiple phone calls for enquiries and reservations. Even then, they might not get through the ticketing hotline.
They can now go to a single Web site to find out in real time if the tickets to their favorite sporting events are available, and buy them online.
The site is powered by local ticketing firm TicketCharge Pte Ltd, which has just been appointed the official agent for XXI Sea Games.
The event, to be held from September 8 to 17, is considered the "Olympics of South East Asia" with 30 sports including boxing, squash, bowling, netball, water polo, fencing, cycling, table tennis, volleyball and gymnastics.
All tickets on the site are priced in Malaysian ringgit and payment can be made via credit card. An additional handling fee of RM 1 will also be incurred for each online transaction.
For residents outside of Malaysia, courier charges will be billed separately if they want the tickets delivered.
Alternatively, they can print a copy of the receipt from their computer and use it for claiming the tickets at the sporting venue, said TicketCharge CEO Goh Kim Siew at a press conference Friday.
Singapore residents who have no online access can call a local hotline (65) 296-2929 to make bookings. Another hotline (03) 7726-2002 is also available for Malaysia residents.
Separately, TicketCharge announced Friday the establishment of a 50:50 Malaysian-based joint venture with media company Sistem Television Malaysia Bhd (TV3). The joint venture is called TicketCharge Sdn Bhd and is the first step in TicketCharge's expansion plans to boost their presence in the region. Previously, they only had a Singapore office, although they were one of the ticketing agents for the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Malaysia.
TicketCharge is a subsidiary of local Web calendaring and event reservation solutions provider CalendarOne Pte Ltd. Acquired by the latter last July, TicketCharge launched a local ticketing portal last September which allows consumers to select their preferred seating sections and buy tickets for shows, events and exhibitions online.
TicketCharge has handled ticketing for events such as the annual Singapore International Film Festival, Savage Garden Live, Michael Learns To Rock, Simon Cabaret, Chang & Eng: The Musical.