There was a mellow dramatically at the Awka Township Stadium during the encounter between Rangers Int'l of Enugu and Niger Tornadoes of Minna last Sunday.
A seemingly over excited fan broke all protocols and found his way into the pitch during the second half of the match.
I would not ascertain from my media standpoint if the invader was propelled by the spirit of mental instability or excitement but what was sure was that there was a rude interruption of the game.
We are all aware that the pitch area is well barricaded with gauzes wire fence with stern looking police officials manning the inlet and keeping an eye on the ecstatic crowd.
How a fan found his way into the pitch, breaking all the checks remain a puzzle to many.
As expected, the security officials on ground swooped onto him and shepherded him off the pitch to the delight of many.
Sooner had the distraction died down did the crowd rose in unison and disgust, surging towards the exit gate.
Their grouse was that the fan who invaded the pitch, whose sanity was yet to be ascertained was on the ground being pummeled by the security men.
They argued that the man needed care as he was not armed than physical violation.
According to them, he should not be punishe'ord for being overexcited or insane as he was at the stadium primarily to enjoy good football and cheer his favourite time.
This was definitely the first time such incursion would be taking place at the Awka Township Stadium since Ranger Int'l FC brought top flight football to the arena, but the way and manner it was managed leaves a sour taste in the mouth of Awka football loving fans.
In other clines where such is a common place, like Laliga and EPL, the STEWARDS (not armed Policemen) have demonstrated tact and professionalism in handling them.
The Anambra media Community has no qualms with presence or overwhelming of security officials at the stadium but the level of training and orientation they have to crowd management and control.
If one unarmed deviant could get that level of physical assult, it can not be ruled out that two or three of them could incur a visit of pellets from the barrel of their guns.
As Anambra moves to the next pedestal of sports activities, it is important to arm security personnel of forms and variants of sports enthusiasm including fanaticism.
May what happened to that man not happen to any other unarmed but excited person inside the Awka Township Stadium
Chimezie is of Anambra SWAN.