PHL: Rain can’t rein in spirits

Spectators at the hockey stadium here could not have bargained for a more exciting game of hockey than what was played between the Chandigarh Dynamos and the Bangalore Hi-Fliers during the second final of the Premier Hockey League.

Though, rain continued throughout the match, hockey lovers stayed put clutching umbrellas. As soon as the teams entered the ground, the crowd broke into an applause. A section of spectators had arrived with painted faces and colourful banners adding a zing to the atmosphere. The stadium was kept alive with 'Chandigarh ki balle balle, baki sare thalle thalle' followed by 'Ek do teen char, Chandigarh ko karo bahar'. "Ignoring the rain, I came from Panchkula to see Chandigarh Dynamos clinch the trophy, but now I have to wait for another two days", said Komal Chawla.

Among the crowd were K.P.S. Gill, UT Administrator Gen S.F. Rodrigues (retd) and Punjabi comedian Bhagwant Mann. The stadium was under tight security. Police commandos were deputed all around the stadium and had a tough time handling the surging crowd. As usual, there was a traffic snarl outside the stadium.

According to sources, Gen Rodrigues was not happy with Chandigarh Dynamos objecting to the decision of umpires. During the match, You Hyo Sik and Ajay Kumar of Bandalore Hi-Fliers were injured badly.