Close X
Monday, November 11, 2024
ADVT 
International

Sikh Man Kicked Out Of Wimbledon Queue For 'Making People Uncomfortable'

IANS, 13 Jul, 2016 12:45 PM
    A 20-year-old Sikh man was kicked out of an overnight queue to watch the Wimbledon tennis championships as he apparently made other people around him "uncomfortable".
     
    Govindpal Kooner took to Facebook last week to voice his anger at being thrown out and claimed it was an act of racism, cases of which have reported a rise in the wake of Britain's vote to leave the European Union (EU).
     
    He wrote on Friday: "Kicked out of the overnight camping line for centre court Wimbledon line 'because you make some people around you uncomfortable, so we're gonna have to report you and ask you to leave immediately, sir'".
     

    "Post-Brexit racism and the overt rise of neo-facism. Please advise how best to report this," he said.
     
    The sportsman who himself dreams of playing professional tennis was eventually allowed to enter the ground after re-queuing in the line a few hours later and made an official complaint about his treatment.
     
    "I felt awful. I felt like I should've fought and negotiated but I backed down and silently left. I don't feel like I'm ever going back now. It's still one of my favourite tournaments but can no longer definitively say it's a lifelong dream to play on centre court," he was quoted as saying by Metro.
     
    Dozens of people responded to his post saying he should report the "discrimination" to police.
     
    A Wimbledon spokesperson said: "We can confirm that a gentleman was asked to leave the queue at 4.42 am this morning (Friday) after a number of complaints from his fellow queuers about his behaviour."
     
    He has previously been warned about his conduct in The Queue on up to six separate occasions during this year's Championships.
     
    "We do acknowledge, however, that in this instance the event safety staff could have provided a better explanation to him. Happily, the same person has been in the Grounds today (Friday) watching the tennis," he said.
     
    But the man insists he did nothing that would warrant being escorted off the grounds, was not intoxicated, loud or aggressive and had not been previously warned about his behaviour.

    MORE International ARTICLES

    Germany Shooting: Several Wounded As Man 'Opens Fire In Cinema Complex' In Viernheim

    Germany Shooting: Several Wounded As Man 'Opens Fire In Cinema Complex' In Viernheim
    Police spokeswoman Christiane Kobus said she couldn't give further details of what was happening at the Kinopolis movie theater in the town of Viernheim.

    Germany Shooting: Several Wounded As Man 'Opens Fire In Cinema Complex' In Viernheim

    Projects Abroad launches Refugee Project in Italy

    Projects Abroad launches Refugee Project in Italy
    Volunteer organization partners with local NGOs, including Red Cross, to aid refugees and migrants

    Projects Abroad launches Refugee Project in Italy

    Donald Trump Moves To Turn Around His Presidential Campaign's Ugly Numbers

    Donald Trump Moves To Turn Around His Presidential Campaign's Ugly Numbers
    WASHINGTON — The early numbers from Donald Trump's general-election campaign are so ugly that not even the swirliest, most sophisticated comb-over could mask their historic hideousness.

    Donald Trump Moves To Turn Around His Presidential Campaign's Ugly Numbers

    Betting on Britain's high-stakes EU vote breaks record

    Betting on Britain's high-stakes EU vote breaks record
    LONDON — As if the stakes were not high enough in Britain's nail-biting vote this week, people are betting record amounts of money on its outcome.

    Betting on Britain's high-stakes EU vote breaks record

    Obama Signs Major Overhaul Of Toxic Chemicals Rules Into Law

    WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama has signed into law the first overhaul of toxic chemical rules in 40 years.

    Obama Signs Major Overhaul Of Toxic Chemicals Rules Into Law

    Have 'Successfully' Blocked India's Nuke Group NSG Bid: Pakistan

    Have 'Successfully' Blocked India's Nuke Group NSG Bid: Pakistan
    Pakistan has a strong case to gain NSG membership on merit and non-discriminatory basis, Mr Aziz said in a statement.

    Have 'Successfully' Blocked India's Nuke Group NSG Bid: Pakistan