A tragic incident halted a local KDMA league match in Unnao on Wednesday. A swarm of bees suddenly attacked players and officials at Sapru Ground in Shuklaganj. Panic spread across the field within minutes.
Amid the chaos, 65-year-old senior umpire Manik Gupta of the Kanpur Cricket Association lost his life. He was officiating the match between YMCC and Paramount along with fellow umpire Jagdish Sharma.
Both umpires were in white on the field. Eyewitnesses said the bees circled around them for nearly ten minutes. Players and officials ran for cover as stings continued. Several cricketers and umpires suffered injuries. The match had to be stopped midway.
Gupta was first taken to two private hospitals in Shuklaganj, Unnao. His condition kept worsening. Doctors then referred him to Lala Lajpat Rai Hospital in Kanpur. Later, he was shifted to the Laxmipat Singhania Institute of Cardiology. He was declared dead there.
A resident of Pheelkhana, Gupta had served as a KCA umpire for almost three decades. The association expressed deep grief over the loss. Officials said he was a dedicated servant of the game and assured full support to his family.
His last rites will be performed on Thursday. The shocking incident has shaken the local cricket community. Many are now demanding stronger safety measures at match venues.
