The recent Senegal vs Sudan match ticketing issues have sparked controversy, with TicketPal Senegal founder El Hadji Mansour Jacques Sagna questioning the responsibilities of the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) and Sonatel/Orange. Sagna, who has 13 years of experience in secure ticketing, expressed concerns about the difficulties faced by supporters, particularly in managing entry to the stadium. He emphasized that the debate should not be limited to the FSF's responsibility alone, but also examine the operational responsibility of the ticketing provider, Sonatel/Orange.
Sagna raised questions about the criteria used to select Sonatel/Orange as the ticketing provider, highlighting that mastery of telecommunications and payment solutions does not automatically translate to expertise in event ticketing. He stressed that ticketing involves a chain of responsibilities, including marketing and distributing tickets, securing transactions, managing capacity and quotas, and synchronizing access-control systems. Sagna's concerns center on the need for clear assignment of responsibility, with the FSF bearing institutional responsibility for the choice of provider and Sonatel/Orange accountable for the quality of the solution supplied.
The ticketing issues at the Senegal vs Sudan match have sparked a wider conversation about the professionalization of ticketing in Senegal. Sagna called on the FSF, event organizers, and industry players to engage in a serious discussion about the importance of competence, experience, and references in ticketing. He emphasized that Senegalese companies that have invested in secure ticketing and built business expertise should have their skills recognized and taken into account. This conversation is crucial to ensuring that sporting and cultural events in Senegal have ticketing systems that match their ambitions.
Sagna's appeal highlights the need for healthy competition in the ticketing industry, based on skills, experience, and references. He argued that no technology partnership, regardless of the company's power, should replace the requirements for competence and professional references. The controversy surrounding the Senegal vs Sudan match ticketing has brought attention to the importance of prioritizing expertise and experience in ticketing, rather than relying solely on technology partnerships.
The FSF, as the organizer and client, bears institutional responsibility for the choice of provider, definition of specifications, approval of the system, and supervision of its implementation. Sonatel/Orange, as the provider, must answer for the quality of the solution supplied, its technical reliability, and operational capacity. Sagna's concerns emphasize the need for clear accountability and a thorough examination of the responsibilities of all parties involved.
The Senegal vs Sudan match ticketing controversy has also raised questions about the challenges faced by Senegalese companies in accessing ticketing contracts. Sagna's comments suggest that despite investing in secure ticketing and building business expertise, Senegalese companies struggle to access such contracts. This issue highlights the need for a more level playing field, where companies with expertise and experience in ticketing can compete fairly for contracts.
Ultimately, the controversy surrounding the Senegal vs Sudan match ticketing serves as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing expertise and experience in ticketing. As Sagna emphasized, a QR code can open a door, but only real ticketing expertise guarantees control of the entire spectator experience. The incident has sparked a necessary conversation about the professionalization of ticketing in Senegal, and it is hoped that this discussion will lead to improvements in the industry.
Key points
- The controversy surrounding the Senegal vs Sudan match ticketing raises questions about the responsibilities of the FSF and Sonatel/Orange.
- The incident highlights the need for clear accountability and a thorough examination of the responsibilities of all parties involved.
- The controversy serves as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing expertise and experience in ticketing.
