Friday, June 19, 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

    Resolving Kashmir issue pertinent for peace: Pakistan army chief

    Pakistan army chief Gen. Raheel Sharif Saturday said resolving Kashmir issue is pertinent for long-term peace in the region, and he wants...

    Resolving Kashmir issue pertinent for peace: Pakistan army chief

    Madison Square like event planned for Modi in Sydney

    Madison Square like event planned for Modi in Sydney
    With Prime Minister Narendra Modi set to visit Australia for the G-20 summit in Brisbane in mid-November, efforts are on to ensure his charisma....

    Madison Square like event planned for Modi in Sydney

    Nepal snow storm death toll reaches 38 as rescuers spot 9 more bodies

    Nepal snow storm death toll reaches 38 as rescuers spot 9 more bodies
    KATMANDU, Nepal - A rescue helicopter spotted nine more bodies Saturday on a trekking trail in northern Nepal, bringing the death toll to 38 from this week's series of snow storms and avalanches in the worst hiking disaster in the Himalayan nation.

    Nepal snow storm death toll reaches 38 as rescuers spot 9 more bodies

    Chennai-born Indian-American scientist to get rare honour

    Chennai-born Indian-American scientist to get rare honour
    Chennai born Indian-American engineer and scientist Subra Suresh is set to be inducted into the Institute of Medicine (IOM) on Sunday...

    Chennai-born Indian-American scientist to get rare honour

    Four men charged with terror plots against police in London

    Four men charged with terror plots against police in London
    Four men have been charged with intending to commit terrorist attacks on British police and army barracks in London, the Metropolitan Police said Friday...

    Four men charged with terror plots against police in London

    Pakistan's stance to solve problems with India dented: Editorial

    Pakistan's stance to solve problems with India dented: Editorial
    The recent spurt in violence along the India-Pakistan border has put the two nations back on collision course, an editorial in a leading daily said Saturday...

    Pakistan's stance to solve problems with India dented: Editorial