Top Spin By Suni

September 24thƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 2012ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

What transpired at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium ~SoorirawewaƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Hambantota ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ during and after the T20 World Cup game on Sunday between Sri Lanka and South Africa ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ is not only shameful but dampens all related proceedings although the circumstances involving what was tantamount to ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ a mini riot at the stadium does not leave room for any tolerance on the part of the authorities who have been caught in a quandry over the sheer timing of it all and at a time when the circumstances were already trying due to the weather conditions!

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Perhaps it was a blessing in disguise thatƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  the skies opened up and washed the game away, a rarity for Hambantota where the recorded rainfall is very minimal.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The inclement weather has effectively quelled a massive throng of unruly spectatorsƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ who wrecked the stadium, stoned exiting vehicles and acted like a bunch of demented, miserable hooligans and thugs who should be sought out and punished for the sheer disrepute it has brought to Sri Lanka Cricket as the reprisals which could affect tourismƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ as well as the good reputation surrounding the game of cricket could be far reaching!

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ This is the firstƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  time such anƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ incident involving spectators at a cricket game has ocurred in Sri LankaƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ which at times has been known to haveƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ happened in countries likeƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ India and the West Indies going back in time where no excuses are acceptable whether it be a shortage of ticketsƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ or the loss to South Africa and hopefully the last time it will ever happenƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ as Sri Lankan crowds normally have a reputation of being cordial, congenial and well behaved with a touch of the festive moods similar to the CarribeanƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ and the last thing Sri Lanka needs to tarnish her national image is something this contentious and contemptible.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ World Twenty – 20 hostsƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Sri LankaƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ will now beƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ compelledƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ to strengthen security after angry fans clashed withƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ the policeƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  in Hambantota and toƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ to ensure that thisƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ will never be repeated where local residents are said to be blamed where they haveƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ stormed the ground after they were told that tickets for Saturday’s match at the 35,000-capacity Mahinda Rajapakse International Stadium had been sold out, according to police reports.The problems hads started when a large crowd of would be spectators were informed that all tickets had been sold out but is this the exuberance needed by ardent fans known for being cricket mad and almost fanatical in their loveƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ for the game or do they know anything about the gentlemanly nature of the game?

Heck this is not Papua New Guniea where the teams and crowds are said to get homicidal at times ending up maiming, injuring and even killing opponents in their particular version of cricket!

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ While it seems common knowledge that mob rule, organised crimeƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ and thuggery does ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ exist in other environments whether marginally or appreciably within Sri Lanka and inconsequential towards the reality of its reprehensibilities,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ for such an incident to happen at a cricket game poses many questions about whether the importanceƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ of tolerance and respectable behaviour at a tournament of this stature commands no exceptional status or decorumƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ and is now being infiltrated by lawlessness which the Nation knows fully well in the aftermath of a three decade long terrorist insurgency asƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ the civilisedƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ world in all bewilderment andƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ in all probabilities looks on! And needless to say a crying shame .

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ It seems also fair to say that whileƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ it was not the spectators within the stadiumƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ that have been involved,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ comprising ofƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ decent and respectable people including guests, dignitaries, tourists, peaceful men,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ women and childrenƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ horrified at what was taking place, it is disgusting thatƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ the throng of thugsƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ who made merry have seemingly gotƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ away and need to be sought out and punished severely.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Concerns for the safety of all spectators, players and staff alike needless to say must now take top ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ priority in all future sporting events although there are musings that this could be a tough ask from a nation of 20 million overrun with cricket fanatics with a tendency to lose control.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

According to someƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Press Reports based on the statements of officials, some security staffƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ and eyewitnessesƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ requesting anonymity, “The crowds got very boisterous and they smashed the barricades and forcibly entered the grounds.The Police baton charging themƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ was no deterrent. A few thousand got into the grounds. Heavy rains thenƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ shortened the group C game to seven-overs-a-side, which South Africa won by by 32 runs. Local fans pelted stones at vehicles leaving the match venue after Sri Lanka lost the match. A heavy presence of the elite Special Task Forces commandos could not deter the angry crowds.Their anger was because they could not enter the grounds. Then they broke down the barricades,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ came into the StadiumƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ , started shouting and making a big commotion.” which was unacceptable and to reiterate,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ viewed from any perspective constituted rank lawlessness!

Camillus Abeygunawardena, theƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Chief Security Officer for the tournament, was alsoƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ quoted as saying “there were unruly scenes outside the stadium, although players and spectators inside the stadium were well protected.” but the trauma of it all would have left many fearful particularlyƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ over their vehicles being stones as they left the stadium.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ AlthoughƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Hambantota isƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ not due to host any more matches it should not detract from the importance of security being beefed up for the rest of the tournament in Pallekele and Colombo,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ where the CSOƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ seemed confident there will be no repeat of Saturday’s incident.

The clashes between police and fans came despite an unprecedented security operation for the tournament, the biggest sporting event ever to be hosted by Sri Lanka and it would be a wasted effort if any team for the sake of safety pulled out of the tournament prioritising their personal safety.