A learning lesson for #HBT2012

So many words that I couldn’t described on this morning’s outcome. More than 5,000 people showed up way before 8am but almost 3/4 of the crowd went home empty handed. Well, I can’t tell if it’s 5,000 or way more than that but I’ve never seen such a crowd way early in the morning. This is how patriotic our supporters are in supporting Brunei.

However, I was truly ashamed of what took place. The longer hours of waiting didn’t pay off. Some were screaming. Some were whistling. Some shoved, cutting queue. Some fainted especially kids. And some even brought their infants along (WHATT!!!??)) I have to say firstly this ain’t the place to bring infants or babies for many reasons. Where’s the common sense in that? That’s totally uncool and very irresponsible.

My friends voiced out their complains to me and blaming the organisers for not having a proper way of distributing tickets. First of all, there were no barriers or Q-stands or even signboards indicate people to queue up. Secondly, there were no ushers at the queue area but all of the committee involved were inside the Belapan Sports Complex and they tried their best to coordinate using their voice from above which is fruitless and fell on deaf ears. Thirdly, there weren’t enough enforcers such as the men/women in uniform. I believe they were only 20 or less of them that turned up to control the thousands of crowd.

From my understanding, the committee had a meeting Thursday afternoon to decide where the tickets will be distributed. Only late afternoon, it was confirmed that the free tickets distribution will be handed out at Belapan Sports Complex this morning from 8am to 11am. Perhaps, what they didn’t expect is the thousands and thousands of supporters turning up and they didn’t have a contingency plan to control the massive human traffic outside Belapan Sports Complex.

Another issue that needs to be addressed is racism and hooliganism. Both are creating headlines on the Twitter timeline in the past two days after fans witnessing how some Bruneians mocked and abused Myanmar supporters during the National Anthem and the match. This is a total embarrassment of a news but this has to be shared so we can educate the public to pay respect to any individual regardless of race and nationality.

Tonight is the final between Brunei vs Indonesia. The Yellow vs the Red. There will be a big screen showing at Belapan Sports Complex for those without tickets. So it’s the next best thing. I know a lot of my friends are having gathering of their owns to catch the finals. For once, RTB will have the highest viewership in many years as the finals will also be a live telecast.

The car queue at 6:45am near Belapan Sports Complex

The sea of people waiting for the limited tickets to be distributed. This was taken outside the venue. Image courtesy of Hasnan

The crowd getting frustrated even at 7:30am though ticket distribution starts at 8am

Hmmmm This is not a good idea to bring young kids to a huge crowd due to security reasons #fail

More enforcement came before 8am but they couldn’t do much to control the crowd

Here are some of the loyal supporters of Brunei football team

One kid was looking for her family and then seconds later she fainted

He queued up since 6:30am and he was one of the lucky ones to get a ticket

He was upset that he missed out on the tickets for tonight’s epic finale

Enough is enough.. So one fanatic climbed over the fence and unlock the gate from inside #uncool

People were squeezing in through the gates. One fainted during the ordeal but managed to be carried to safety *phew*

She was still smiling despite the long wait

One football enthusiast was interviewed by Borneo Bulletin reporter and he shared his disappointment with the organisers

Ok, this happened during the semi-finals last Wednesday. Police were having a hard time controlling the human traffic at the gate. Apparently those without tickets also managed to get in. This was taken before the kick off between Brunei and Myanmar

This was the scenario at half-time where some were stuck outside

This was how the Indonesians queued up *salutes* A total opposite of what we saw at Belapan. Image taken from Facebook.. Well, someone whatsapp me this image 🙂

Even people were asking our great friend for a favour for tickets for the finals. I love his status. Classic!!

Tonight the colour is yellow. This is image of Azri the fullback of #HBT Brunei team with his family. Taken after the post celebration of Brunei’s victory over Myanmar

This afternoon Mr. NJ bought himself a Brunei jersey from Ridah Sports shop and apparently another sports shop Imperial Sports was crowded with Brunei supporters

“Occasional crossing of showers or thundershowers at some land and sea areas this afternoon; with chance of spreading widely at night.” This was taken from Brunei Weather website. So I headed off to GL Extra shop to buy this. Another hot seller according to the sales person *lol*

Let’s forget about this morning’s episode and now focus on what’s at stake tonight 😀 Great artwork by the artwork

The atmosphere taken at 6:30pm… It’s almost full!!!! Go Brunei 😀

Eahui and Carol are big supporter for Brunei tonight and it’s also Eahui’s first visit to the stadium

This time the queue system is smoothly executed. Well done to the officers and ushers

Jake Ten of Borneo Bulletin had to fit in Azrol’s pants or else he won’t be allowed to wear a media vest since he came in with shorts *lol* Now he looks a bit homey yoo!!