Low Attendance Draws Attention at Asian Games

Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail

NAGOYA: Low spectator numbers at some football matches have drawn attention at the Asian Games in Japan, despite organisers reporting strong overall ticket sales for the multi-sport event.

Fewer than 1,000 fans watched hosts Japan defeat South Korea 2-0 in the women’s football semi-final at a stadium with a capacity of around 50,000.

The match in Shizuoka attracted an official crowd of 998 spectators. Earlier on Tuesday, North Korea defeated China 2-0 at the same venue in front of 564 fans.

Japan and North Korea will now meet in the women’s football final on Friday at the Shizuoka stadium, which also hosted matches during the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

Organisers Facing Attendance Challenge

The low crowds came as Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games organisers announced that more than one million tickets had been sold.

Attendance has remained a topic of discussion since the Games’ opening ceremony on September 19, when several sections of the venue were visibly empty. Organisers had attributed the low turnout partly to concerns over a typhoon and weather conditions.

Some events have attracted larger crowds, but others have struggled to fill available seats.

Organisers also acknowledged that attendance at the men’s and women’s 100-metre events was below expectations, despite athletics being among the Games’ major attractions.

Games organising committee secretary-general Satoshi Murate said officials would continue efforts to sell tickets and encourage ticket holders to attend events.

In a statement issued Tuesday, organisers said the overall ticket sales rate was expected to exceed 70 percent.