Keeping in mind 'local conditions' Goa bans flags at Lusofonia Games

Panaji: Spectators wanting to cheer their country’s team at next year’s Lusofonia Games will not be able to carry flags as they have been marked as one of the banned items on all the stadia of the Portuguese Commonwealth Games. The spectators guidelines list ‘flags with or without pole’ as one of the prohibited items. [caption id=“attachment_1191487” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  The Indian contingent at the first Lusofonia games in Macau. AFP[/caption] Lusofonia Games scheduled in January next year will have 1500 athletes and team members from 12 countries participating in the 12-day event. The list of forbidden items also includes coins, bottles, eatables, laser lights, motorbike helmet and other 40 odd items including musical instruments and electronic equipment that could interfere with electronic signal of the Games at the venues. However, the guide does not specify whether electronic equipment means mobile phones as well. The organisers said the guidelines are prepared by the special cell of Goa Police in association with the Local Organising Committee of Lusofonia Games keeping in mind the international sports protocol and also the local conditions. All venues have a security screening process which includes metal detection Door Frame Metal Detectors (DFMDs) and X-ray scanners. “Let the security staff know if for any medical reasons (such as a pacemaker) you are not comfortable undergoing metal detection,” reads the guide. Among the do’s and don’ts for spectators are waiting in a queue, maintaining decorum at the venue, appropriate dressing according to weather conditions. The enthusiasts who are intoxicated will not be given access to the venue. The games would be held at six different venues across Goa including Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in South district where much awaited football matches would be held between participating nations. PTI