According to reliable sources the mercantile hockey team from Sri Lanka had taken wing to India to play a series of matches in Chennai, Bangalore and Mysore. However according to Indian media reports a group of Chennai youth activists had chased away the team while they were training in Chennai yesterday.
The group of activists are said to have connections to the Naam Thamizhar and Tahmizhar Ezhuchi Iyakkam and had showed their protest over the alleged mass killing of Tamil civilians and the continuing oppression in Sri Lanka. The protesters had been arrested and had been released by the Chennai City Police. When the Sunday Times contacted hockey officials in Sri Lanka for confirmation on alleged reports they were not aware of such happenings. However they confirmed that it was the mercantile team that was on tour in Chennai, India.
Earlier Indian media reports said that it was the Sri Lanka hockey team that was involved in the incident. Incidentally all mercantile hockey officials also were away on the tour. The invitation for the tour had been extended by the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association. The mercantile hockey team is due to return today. |
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