28 September 2004	Tuesday	12 Shaban 1425

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QUETTA, Sept 27: Mismanagement by organizers during the second game of the eight-match series between Pakistan and Indian resulted in police baton-charging spectators at Gen Musa Hockey Stadium on Monday.

While the Hockey Club of Pakistan in Karachi painted a grim picture with barely 5,000 spectators in attendance the second game was spoiled owing to disorder. The police deployed at the venue failed in stopping gate crashers to enter into the venue, although the stadium hardly has seating capacity of 10,000.

Law enforcement officials baton-charged the fans who even had the invitation cards from Balochistan Hockey Association (BHA), while few were allowed to go inside the venue despite having no passes or invitation.

"I have got an official invitation from BHA but am not being allowed to enter the stadium while people having no invitation are being sent in. I am not here just for the sake of fun but I love to see hockey," said Shahid Bugti who had come from Jinnah Town.

A group of Balochistan Medical College also complained about the arrangements. "We came here from far flung areas but are not being allowed to enter," Tauqeer Ahmad and Afzal said on behalf of the group.

Neither was there any proper seating arrangements for the media. Poor arrangements forced the press members to sit on the stage made for the VIPs. The fans invaded the pitch and mobbed the Pakistan and Indian players seeking autographs as soon as the final whistle was blown. The Pakistan team members had to be rushed off to their hotel when they were mobbed, jostled by the spectators.