Sprint king engages in a scuffle with another athlete

Tapan Mohanta

Ranchi, Feb 22 (PTI) Sprint king of the ongoing NationalGames, Sameer Mon, in an inebriated condition was engaged in abitter scuffle against another athlete, shattering peace ofthe Khel Gaon (Games Village) late last night.

The Services sprinter, who clinched the 100m titleearlier, caught up a fight with another athlete during thecultural programme in the evening but it snowballed into aviolent turn during dinner time at the Food Plaza.

In an inebriated condition, Mon accompanied by his fellowServices athletes attacked the another athlete from Jharkhand,as activities came to a literal halt at both the dinner hallsaround 10.40pm last night.

The violent and wild scenes disrupted the peace of theGames Village as it became the talk of the town yesterday.

Services coaches tried their best to pacify Mon but hedid not seem in a mood to calm down as he along with histeammates attacked the other athlete.

The other athlete too formed a group and the violentscenes shifted from the dinner arena to the Games Village.

With both parties not ready to compromise, police had tointervene and according to reports they were taken into policecustody.

However, the Jharkhand Olympic Association said both theparties were back and the issue was sorted out.

"We have sorted that out. Nobody is injured. All are safeand fine. They are back in the camp," Jharkhand OlympicAssociation president R K Anand told PTI today morning.

Athletics competition ended yesterday, even as the 34thNational Games is going to be concluded on February 26. PTITAP CM