Late night ‘four’ play gets hockey team the stick

A drunken brawl in the wee hours of Tuesday involving members of the Chhattisgarh hockey team and a auto driver resulted in the team being thrown out of the ongoing Hockey India Senior National Men's Championship in the city.

Host association Hockey Karnataka (HK) officials said the incident occurred when four players of the team returned to the guest house of St John's Research Center, located opposite Koramangala BDA complex, late on Monday night, despite the players being in the know that the gates would be shut by 11 pm.

The altercation started when the auto driver demanded one-and-a-half times the fare on the meter, as it was late. When the players refused to pay the excess amount, an argument ensued. The players even beat up the driver.

The fight caught the attention of passing cab drivers, who stopped to find out what the commotion was all about.

Soon the players got into an argument with the cab drivers as well. The situation was brought under control only when police personnel from Koramangala police station arrived. Though the players were sent to their rooms, the matter refused to die down as auto and cab drivers staged a protest, demanding action against the players.

Senior police officers, who were on night patrol, rushed to the scene and took the players into custody. A police team picked up the players from room No 123 and took them to Koramangala police station.

During questioning, police found that the players had consumed alcohol and they were sent to Victoria Hospital for medical examination. Later, the auto driver withdrew the complaint on being given money for medical treatment. "We have registered a petty case and released the players so as not to spoil their future," said a police officer.

HK secretary AB Subbaiah said the association had banned the team from the championship and sent them home. "The smooth conduct of the championship is our responsibility and we will not tolerate such behaviour on or off the field. The tournament committee discussed the issue and decided that they should be sent back in light of this misbehaviour. Hockey India was also told and we will be sending a full report of the incident."

Now, all matches played by the Chhattisgarh team have been annulled and their rivals awarded a win and five goals each.

The team had played two matches. While the first one was a walkover against Arunachal Pradesh on Sunday, they lost to Punjab on Monday and to Services on Tuesday.

Repeated efforts to contact Chhattisgarh coach Dennis Christy went in vain.