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DUBAI: UAE cricket fans are gearing up for the upcoming India-Pakistan Asian Cup match, which will be played in Dubai this weekend. The excitement level for the August 28 game was so high that when the first tickets went on sale on August 15, they were sold out in just three hours (link to our story). Subsequent batches of tickets followed suit.
However, Anis Sajan, vice-chairman of the Danube Group, is determined. Like last year (during the T20 World Cup), this time he wanted to share his passion for cricket with his blue-collar staff once again, giving them free tickets to the India-Pakistan match.
Tickets sold out quickly, but he was not discouraged. During the three days that tickets go on sale, a team of 10 of his staff log in to try to buy as many tickets as possible.
“We were using computers after midnight on August 14, 15 and 17,” said one of his staff members. “They allow four tickets per person, so we bought it as a package. A lot of effort…”
After multiple calls, the team managed to purchase 270 tickets.
Speaking to Gulf News, Anis Sajan said: “India-Pakistan matches are rare and we can only see two teams playing against each other during the Asian Cup or World Cup. We are lucky that the Asian Cup has moved to the UAE this time.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for cricket fans to see their heroes. For blue-collar workers, paying Dh250 for tickets to the India-Pakistan match, plus additional fares to the stadium, Neither is easy. And, I hope they live out their passion for cricket with me.
“I have been fortunate enough to live out my passion for the sport and have seen cricket play in Melbourne, Auckland and other cities around the world. I hope my staff feel the same excitement. They are my company’s Pillars. After all, my company is as good as they are. So, I want to give them a small share of my happiness. For them, it’s like a dream come true when they see their favourite cricketer like Virat Kohli or Asif Ali, when performing live. I hope my little gesture will bring them a smile and make them feel cared for.
“They were ecstatic when we gave them the tickets,” he added.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for cricket fans to see their heroes,” Sajan said.
Image source: provided
In addition to tickets, he provides them with transportation to the stadium, as well as snacks during games. In addition to this, staff will receive their favourite fan kits as well as the iconic Mr Cricket UAE jacket and hat.
In addition to the India-Pakistan match, the cricket enthusiast will also hand out tickets for the important Super Four match (the match between the top four teams in the preliminaries).
While the company has nearly 1,000 blue-collar workers, Sajan was able to give away tickets to 270 people whose names were chosen in a raffle. However, he also has plans for others. “We will be screening the game in five warehouses in the UAE and there will be festivities, music and DJs (disc jockeys).”
The Asian Cup will begin on August 27, when Asia’s top cricket teams will compete at the Dubai Stadium.
On his own plans to watch the India-Pakistan match, Sajan said he was happy to watch it at home, where he arranged a screening with a group of friends, Emirati expatriates from India and Pakistan. The Dubai-based Indian businessman said : “The UAE is a country where people from all over the world come together to celebrate such an important moment.”
“I love Bollywood movies and I love watching Pakistani dramas and my Pakistani friends also love watching Bollywood movies. We also have different nationalities in our office, especially people from India and Pakistan who all work and enjoy together, ‘ he added.
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