Bukhari disappointed at first One-day fiasco (8 November 1998)

8 November 1998

Bukhari disappointed at first One-day fiasco

By Our Sports Reporter

KARACHI, Nov 7: The secretary of the Karachi City Cricket Association (KCCA) Prof Sirajul Islam Bukhari expressed his disappointment over attitude of law enforcing agencies in dealing with the general public.

"It was one of the worst days of my life. I have never witnessed such a behaviour of the police with the enthusiasts in my 25 years as cricket organizer," Bukhari said on Saturday.

Bukhari condemned the police role saying the followers of the game sacrificed their money and time to watch the match to enjoy a good day. "They didn't deserve the harsh and inhuman treatment from the law enforcing agencies.

"Yesterday's fiasco will certainly keep the spectators away whenever an international match is played here in future. They don't come here to suffer humiliation or embarrassment. They come to enjoy and if they don't get the treatment they deserve, why would they turn-up next time," said Bukhari.

No less than 1,000 ticket holders were denied entry in the Stadium when Pakistan played Australia yesterday at the National Stadium. Out of the 11 hospitality boxes, nine were occupied by the police personnel. Eatables, drinking water bottles and cigarettes were confiscated from those who managed to bring them into the stadium as the stall owners were selling those things at double their actual price. "Similarly, Hanif Mohammad and Javed Miandad enclosures (capacity of 2,123 and 2,208 respectively) were empty by more than half. 500 seats were vacant in Majid Khan and Players enclosures."

When inquired why the stadium looked packed-to-capacity, Bukhari said: "Well, it may be because some people without tickets occupied the seats."

Bukhari admitted that the match was allocated to the KCCA and it was the responsibility of the local association to look after the spectators, he said: "We are also on the receiving end. Our workers were disallowed to carry their duties. Police superseded us. So what can we do?" He said it was not the duty of police to check tickets or refuse entry to ticket holders. "There is no written law but unfortunately it has become a tradition.

"I must clarify that it is after quite a long time that KCCA was allocated the match. Previously, either the cricket board organized the matches or used to rent the series out." "This has been a bitter experience and next time we would not like to see police dominating the show and creating hassles for the followers of the game," said Bukhari.

Asked if the law enforcing agencies violated decisions taken by the organizing committee of the match, he said KCCA was not involved in any security decisions taken by the local administration.

Bukhari said an initial discussion on the law and order problem has been discussed with top police officials. "Though a formal meeting would be held in the coming week, it has been suggested to them that police should be kept out of the match and a proper security committee should be constituted comprising a couple of KCCA officials and a few senior newsmen."

Source :: Dawn (https://dawn.com/)