BHOPAL, Nov 11: The final of the 60th All-India Obaidullah Khan Gold Cup hockey tournament between Indian Airlines and Red Star Club was abandoned yesterday after 58 minutes of play following clash between the players.

Both the teams were level at one-all when play was called off. Minutes after the game began, the players from both sides had a verbal duel with the umpire. The situation worsened when a player of the local club, Red Star, pushed umpire Azhar Hussain.

Soon it developed into an open fight between the two sides following which the airlines players left the ground. On being persuaded by the organisers, they returned to the ground. But after 15 minutes, Athar and Brojen Singh of Indian Airlines were involved in a skirmish following which the IA players refused to play.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.