In what can only be called a major security lapse, wrestling events at the ongoing Commonwealth Games were put on hold when audio equipment fell from the ceiling, moments after the opening session.
Fans and officials were asked to leave the field for a ‘health and safety check’ as chaos peaked on the opening day of the wrestling competition. The morning session was stalled for more than two hours. A security official and an Indian, Scottish and Pakistan team official told PTI that a speaker fell from the ceiling of the hall, causing a delay.
The session was called off at 11.22 am local time and then the resumption of action was announced at 12.15 pm. The resume time was changed three times at the time of writing.
A security official present at the venue said, “We have been hearing that a speaker collapsed and everyone was asked to vacate the area for security checks.” An Indian official said, ‘We are in the practice zone. We heard that a speaker has fallen near the mat.
A Pakistani team official who was inside the hall at the time of the incident said, “I couldn’t see it but something fell. They called a speaker and we had to come out.” Everyone inside the venue was silent about what had actually happened as spectators waited in the aisle, demanding clarity on the resumption.
Inderpal, a fan, said, “We have been waiting for more than an hour. They said it will start soon, but we don’t have any clarity right now.” Nine matches had already taken place before the season came to a halt. Gold medal contenders Bajrang Punia and Deepak Punia had won their bouts comfortably.
Restart time also changed a couple of times. Earlier it was 4:45 PM, then it was changed to 5:15 PM and then again it was 5:45 PM.
(Inputs PTI)