昨日，廣州亞組委票務中心主任袁越在新聞發布會上代表亞運會組委會懇切呼吁所有持有亞運門票的市民，如果因為一些原因不愿意或無法觀看相關場次的比賽，可以將手中的門票贈送給身邊愿意觀賽的家人、朋友或同事，或者將門票返還至廣州市內任意一個亞運城市志愿服務站，由亞組委對這部分門票進行統一回收與調配，將其再次分配給其他有需要的人，讓更多的人有機會感受亞運。

除了對外公開銷售的門票外，亞運會往往會為贊助商預留部分門票，而這個環節往往就成為了問題的所在，門票的交付疏漏或是贊助商代表的缺席都會導致門票不到位的現象，為了填補這一空缺，亞運會決定追加40萬張門票，已于昨日正式開始發售。

Ayaka Oba (left) and Mai Sasaki of Japan celebrate winning a point during the women's soft tennis team final. Officials expressed concern about the number of empty seats at some venues and asked locals to return their free tickets if they are not going to use them. (Agencies)

In an effort to fill the empty seats, Guangzhou Games organizers appealed to local citizens on Monday to return the free tickets they have received if they are not interested in using them.

The Olympic Council of Asian (OCA) President Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah said he was concerned at seeing so many empty seats in the early days of the games, but all the tickets had already been distributed.

The Guangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee (GAGOC) dished out half of all the tickets to residents and corporate sponsors but many have not yet showed up, said Yuan Yue, director of GAGOC's ticketing office.

"One big problem is that people don't know what sport or match the free tickets entitle them to see until after the draws are made," she said. "They may decide not to go because they aren't interested in that particular event."

Li Zhiqing was among the million Guangzhou residents who received a complimentary ticket. He said he was disappointed to learn it was for a soccer match between the Republic of Korea and Jordan.

"I don't like soccer. I prefer badminton or table tennis," said Li, who decided not to go. He said tight security checks were also annoying.

Yuan urged people to hand over unwanted tickets to relatives and friends. She said corporate sponsors had already returned some, and those were being put on sale immediately.

Meanwhile, venue directors have been told they have the right to sell extra tickets on site if the stadium does not fill up. They will determine the number and price of the tickets on a match-by-match basis.

Sheikh Ahmad said he has been discussing the issue with local organizers and looking for solutions. He also announced on Monday an extra 400,000 tickets were being released, with a dozen new ticket booths to be opened citywide.

"We will try our best to get more people into the stadiums," said Yuan.

(China Daily)

（中國日報網英語點津 Helen 編輯）