Asian Games organisers ban vuvuzela

Vuvuzelas provoked strong emotions in South Africa, with some fans loving the distinctive low-pitched bellow while others -- including many players, coaches and commentators -- driven to distraction.

But athletes gathered for the 16th Asiad which opens tomorrow will have no such concerns after a local government official confirmed that the plastic trumpet, often in garish colours, will be banned from all venues.

Zhang Youquan, deputy director of the civilisation office of the Guangzhou government, named the vuvuzela amid a list of banned items.That list, prominently displayed outside venues, also includes whistles, lighters and matches, drink, food in large amounts that can be easily thrown, balls, rackets, frisbees and balloons.

According to a report by the Guangzhou Daily, spectators violating etiquette during the Games featuring 45 countries and regions competing in 42 sports will be advised by volunteers, and may be referred to security if they refuse to obey the rules.

Vuvuzelas became the unofficial symbol of the World Cup, but they drowned out crowd chants and made it nearly impossible for players to communicate with each other.
The horns have since been banned by UEFA, European football's governing body, and by several English Premier League club grounds, as well as at the Commonwealth Games last month in New Delhi.