Spectator sport: Battle rages in and out of the ring

Two groups of spectators fight during annual tournament.

FAISALABAD:

Two groups of spectators began fighting during the annual Kabaddi Gold Cup tournament in Faisalabad on Thursday.

According to police officials, the Iqbal Stadium became a battlefield rather than a kabaddi ring when spectators began fighting among themselves over who would win the match. “It was absurd. They began betting on which kabaddi team would win the match and eventually a  people from each group began swearing at the other,” said eyewitness Riaz Asad. “Before we knew what was happening there were two groups of fights going on. One in the kabaddi ring and one outside,” he said.

One of the organisers of the event said that he regretted the behavior of the spectators. “They began breaking chairs and swearing and throwing soft drink bottles at each other because they were each supporting a different kabaddi team,” said Sadiq Khan.

Eyewitnesses said the brawl took place before the commencement of the final of the 1st Commissioner Gold Cup Kabaddi Tournament here on Thursday. Before the commencement of the final match between RPO-11 and Commissioner-11, spectators of two groups in Fazal Mehmood Enclosure started exchange of harsh words which led to fighting and seven spectators suffered serious injuries.

“At the time there was a lesser kabaddi match going on in the ring adjacent to them and me and my team were still preparing to take to the ring. Eventually we had to go and break up the brawl before the match could begin,” said Kabaddi player Mushtaq.

Later, a heavy police contingent reached the stadium and used baton charge to disperse the crowd after the spectators began to throw bottles at the players and each other. “It was hard to keep track of who was doing what. Half of us were watching the match and the rest were focusing on the brawl. Eventually even the players had to step in and try and help with crowd control until the police arrived,” said an eyewitness.

According to the tournament organising committee there was room for 1,700 spectators but the stadium was overcrowded. Police officials initially arrested 47 people before releasing them after taking their statements. Seven people were injured and taken to a hospital for treatment. Three of them are said to be in critical condition. Police are investigating the case.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 22^nd, 2012.