Hashim Amla among cricketers locked up by bouncers:Security staff protest over unpaid salaries during Legends League Cricket

Some players from Sri Lanka, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and India were locked inside the stadium during the Legends League Cricket at Haldwani’s Indira Gandhi International Cricket Stadium. After the match ended, when the players boarded buses to leave, the stadium gates were locked, causing the players to remain stuck inside for half an hour. Officials stated that angry bouncers, who had not received their salaries, had locked the main gate. Many players, including South Africa’s Hashim Amla, Zimbabwe’s Hamilton Masakadza, and Sri Lanka’s Tillakaratne Dilshan Munaweera, remained stuck in the buses. Raman Raheja, co-founder of the league, called it a communication gap, stating that due to the security agency’s in-charge being out of town, coordination regarding payment could not be established. Meanwhile, Rashika Siddiqui, Deputy Director of the Sports Department, said that a private agency is organising the event and the department’s role is limited to providing the stadium. Dispute began after the match ended A Legends League Cricket match was played between Southern Super Stars and India Captains on Monday, 16 March at the Indira Gandhi International Cricket Stadium located in Gaulapar. After the match concluded, players and team staff had boarded buses to return to the hotel. During this time, bouncers deployed in the security arrangement locked the main gate of the stadium, alleging non-payment. Foreign cricketers also remained stuck in buses Due to the gate being closed, the buses of players and staff stopped inside the stadium complex. During this time, many international players also remained stuck in the stadium complex. Many Indian players, including Gaurav Tomar, Sheldon Jackson, Ajit Chandila, Rajat Bhatia, Parvinder Awana, and Puneet Bisht, remained seated in the buses during this time. Cricketers were taken out after half an hour The sudden change in the situation created confusion in the stadium complex for some time. Players remained seated in buses and officials associated with the event got busy managing the situation. After about half an hour, there was a conversation between the organizers and the security agency. After receiving assurance of payment, the bouncers opened the gates and the players’ buses were able to leave for the hotel. What did officials say after the dispute? Security agency claims – three days’ payment pending Kuldeep Singh, supervisor of Shri Hans Security Agency, which was managing security arrangements at the stadium, stated that a total of 82 bouncers and 42 security guards were deployed for the event. According to him, their three days’ payment had not been made yet. He said that payment was demanded from the organizers multiple times, but when no solution emerged, the employees chose the path of protest. The supervisor warned that if the payment is not made, future matches could also be stopped. Sports Department said event belongs to private agency Rashika Siddiqui, Deputy Director of the Sports Department, said that this cricket league is being organized by a private company. The responsibility of the Sports Department is limited only to providing the stadium. She informed that the stadium rent was deposited till March 16. Permission for further matches will be granted only after payment for up to March 20 is deposited. She also stated that some technical disruptions came to light during the match, such as a lack of oil in the DG set. This is a result of the negligence of the organising agency. Organisers cited communication gap Raman Raheja, Co-founder of Legends League Cricket, said that officials associated with the security agency were in Delhi at that time, due to which timely coordination regarding payment could not happen. Calling it a communication gap, he said that the matter was later resolved through discussion and security personnel returned to their duties. According to Raheja, employees will be paid soon so that there are no problems in organising further matches.