10K workers cheer their hearts out at Asian Cup
dubai — With the Asian Cup fever gripping the country, a Dubai firm decided to offer a rare treat for the blue-collar workforce of the country to experience the excitement.
Events, marketing and communications company Plan B has donated nearly 10,000 tickets to give blue-collar workers a chance to watch live matches at the ongoing 2019 AFC Asian Cup, which is now in its concluding phase.
The company gave away the free tickets under its ‘Patron’s Programme’, where several patrons of the firm bought and donated the tickets for the hardworking lot.
About 7,000 workers were able to watch the India–UAE match that was held at the Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi, and another 3,000 workers witnessed the India–Bahrain game at the Sharjah Stadium.
They were also given T-shirts (with logos of India and the UAE) and refreshments. Special buses were arranged for their transportation.
Entering a stadium for the first time in his life was an excited worker, Rana Anwar Khan: “I was lucky to be among
It was my first time to see a football match at a stadium. More than the game, it was the atmosphere at the venue and watching a live match with my friends that made the day unforgettable.”
Rana Anwar Khan, worker
This is something we could only dream of because of our hectic schedule and financial limitations. I had the time of my life at the match as we wore the T-shirts and caps and cheered for the teams.”
Dilbag Singh, worker
the football spectators cheering the squad at the Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi. It was my first time to see a football match at a stadium and I was excited. More than the game, it was the atmosphere at the venue and watching a live match with my friends that made it an unforgettable experience.
Another worker from India, Dilbag Singh, said: “I was surprised to know that I would be able to see the match with my colleagues live in a stadium, something we could only dream of because of our hectic schedule and financial limitations. I had the time of my life at the match as we wore the T-shirts and caps and cheered for the teams.
It was a tough match. I have never been to a stadium before so it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me. We would request more events and activities like this in the future.”
Harmeek Singh, founder and chairman of Plan B Group and a patron himself, said: “The joy that you see on the faces of the recipients of the donated tickets is the most heartwarming feeling one can have. It is even more special as the match between India and the UAE represents not just my home country India, but also the UAE that has been home to me for over 17 years.
“In these years, it has always been on our list of priorities to ensure that we are able to give back to society. I am so glad that we took the decision to brighten the workers’ day.”