Thursday, January 1, 2026
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

    Donald Trump Calls Hillary Clinton A 'Liar' Over Video Claim, Says He Wouldn't Kill Journalists

    The Republican presidential front-runner also took to Twitter to demand an apology from his leading Democratic opponent.

    Donald Trump Calls Hillary Clinton A 'Liar' Over Video Claim, Says He Wouldn't Kill Journalists

    Cargo Ship Runs Aground At The Deep-Water Bulk Terminal In Squamish, No Injuries Or Damage Rported

    Cargo Ship Runs Aground At The Deep-Water Bulk Terminal In Squamish, No Injuries Or Damage Rported
    A Transportation Safety Board spokesman says no one has been hurt and there doesn't appear to be any damage to the vessel.

    Cargo Ship Runs Aground At The Deep-Water Bulk Terminal In Squamish, No Injuries Or Damage Rported

    Miss Philippines Crowned Miss Universe After Botch Up, Internet Reacts To Blooper And Steve Harvey

    Miss Philippines Crowned Miss Universe After Botch Up, Internet Reacts To Blooper And Steve Harvey
    The ceremony's host Steve Harvey mistakenly mixed up the winners' names at the event, where India failed to clinch the title for the 15th straight year.

    Miss Philippines Crowned Miss Universe After Botch Up, Internet Reacts To Blooper And Steve Harvey

    Police Help Mexican Woman Give Birth In Car

    Police Help Mexican Woman Give Birth In Car
    Two Mexico City police officers helped a 23-year-old woman give birth to a baby girl inside a car, officials said.

    Police Help Mexican Woman Give Birth In Car

    US Woman Gets 26 Years For Microwaving One-Month-Old Daughter To Death

    US Woman Gets 26 Years For Microwaving One-Month-Old Daughter To Death
    Mirabelle Thao-Lo suffered burns to 80 per cent of her body — some deep enough to damage her internal organs

    US Woman Gets 26 Years For Microwaving One-Month-Old Daughter To Death

    Sikh Americans Lead Efforts To Counter Attacks On Minorities

    Sikh Americans Lead Efforts To Counter Attacks On Minorities
    The coalition aims to encourage interfaith dialogue to address increased discrimination, mistrust, and violence, particularly against Sikh and Muslim Americans.

    Sikh Americans Lead Efforts To Counter Attacks On Minorities