IPOH – Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu will hold a discussion with Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari next week about the increase in ticket prices for the Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix World Championship (MotoGP), scheduled to take place from October 21 to 23 at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC).
Faizal said the increase in prices was affecting the sales of tickets, which have yet to reach 50% since they went on sale in April.
“I’m convinced that the Selangor government will pay serious attention to this matter as it involves economic generation from the aspect of inbound tourism to the state.
“They will surely give due consideration to ensure more visitors will show up to watch the MotoGP championship this year,” he said at a media conference after officiating the Rukun Negara@Belia launch in Aeon Klebang here today.
SIC chief executive officer Azhan Shafriman Hanif was quoted on October 13 as saying that the lacklustre ticket sales were due to a 25% entertainment tax charge imposed by the Selangor government, adding that the tax resulted in tickets being priced from RM90 instead of RM40 last year.
Meanwhile, Faizal said he was optimistic that the target of 170,000 spectators set by SIC could be realised based on the organiser’s commitment and vast experience.
“If we were previously able to get up to 120,000 spectators, I believe SIC can put in more effort this time. It’s okay if we can’t surpass the target – as long as we can retain existing records, it’s already a job well done,” he added. – Bernama, August 20, 2022
