Ticketing issues and crowd trouble marred the final day of the Hockey India League (HIL) at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium on Saturday.
Nearly six people were injured in a minor stampede outside the gates, with as many as 4,000 people—several with tickets—waiting outside, eager to get in to watch the final and movie actor Sara Ali Khan, headlining the closing ceremony.
Hockey India (HI) had announced before the start of the tournament that tickets would be free of cost and that spectators could enter the venue either by pre-booking an online pass or by collecting tickets at the stadium’s ticket counter.
Rourkela’s Superintendent of Police, Nitesh Wadhani, said, “There was some miscommunication with the ticketing for this match. People thought it was a free-for-all entry which led to the overcrowding.”
He added, “The gate No. 2 fell due to people pushing and shoving. Five to six people, three of them were our police staff, got injured but they are minor abrasions.”
The majority of the month-long HIL was played in front of empty stands, but on the day of the final, the stadium was overflowing with people.
The 21,000-capacity stadium was sold out as early as 6.30 pm, during the third-fourth place match, but many more found their way in despite there not being a spare seat.
As soon as the closing ceremony was over, many started making their way to the exit. One individual, who came with his friends, said they had only come to watch Sara’s dance performance.
As soon as the closing ceremony was over, many started making their way to the exit. One individual, who came with his friends, said they had only come to watch Sara’s dance performance.
| Photo Credit:
Aashin Prasad
As soon as the closing ceremony was over, many started making their way to the exit. One individual, who came with his friends, said they had only come to watch Sara’s dance performance.
| Photo Credit:
Aashin Prasad
Veenapani Nayak, who was with her daughter, left before the start of the final. “My daughter and I came early, but my husband, despite having a ticket, is stranded outside, so we are leaving,” she said.
HI general secretary Bholanath Singh said on the issue, “We also had organised the World Cup here but this is unbelievable, I didn’t expect so many people here – 20000 inside and so many people outside. I also apologise to those people who came here to see hockey that there is not enough space inside. I also request the police to make them understand and not use force against them.”