2010 Word Cup Hockey – tit bits here and there

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The whole Development team was present on the Sahara’s Good Luck India function held at The Lalit Hotel on Thursday. While the senior team sported sponsor Sahara’s official wears, the Development team was in casual civil dress.

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A player in the Development team said, “We will defeat them (senior) tomorrow”. It turned out to be near true within 24 hours. On Friday night, India team was trailing 0-2 till the last ten minutes, before scoring three goals in the last ten minutes. It is a strategy or tragedy is not known. Hero for the young team was Dharamvir Singh, who scored a brace off field efforts. Interestingly in the first match between these two teams on Wednesday too the score was same.

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Only IOA President Suresh Kalmadi and Subrato Roy were on the dais, the latter speaking almost philosophically. In a direct dig at Subrato Roy’s younger brother JB Roy, Suresh Kalmadi said, “We want Subrato Roy as the Hockey India president, not any other Roy!!

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Subrato Roy spoke almost in Hindi, and at the end of his speech, he invited Jose Brasa to the dais to wish him in English. He also appreciated Brasa’s interest to learn Hindi. Brasa on his part said namaste and Sukria. Brasa was keen on the song party and was seen interacting with the singers with all enthusiasm.

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Dasgupta of LSM was seen giving papers frequently to Subrato Roy even as he was speaking. It was in some ways an interesting assemblage of people – Sahara which went to the court on the sponsorship issue is now in the company of their court-rival today, enjoying party mood.

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There was a song party after the blessing session was over. Normally lot of hockey players join the dancing, but it was not much today. Deepak Thakur and team physio Shrikant were seen dancing to the tunes of popular numbers.

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Being his hometown, Coach Harendera was delighted to have his sweet children and family for the function. Goalkeeper coach Romeo James’s wife proved to be a good dancer. So also some friends of Chief coach Jose Brasa. Brasa was keen

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A couple of FIH journalists, who normally cover for the website, were also present.

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It was nice to see both the Pillays together – Vikram and his younger Vikas who is part of the SAF Games.

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Why the security in the National stadium is a mess? Because, at least three agencies are managing it. Security guards are from CPWD, SAI and an other organization, each one having different brief. There is no co-ordination between these agencies, and you never know who will stop you at what point.

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Yesterday, this writer was present among other 30, 40 people at the main entrance of the stadium when Junior India coach AK Bansal was stopped from entering. He is posted there by SAI, and is expected to attend to the Indian teams. Dejected Junior India coach said, “I am harassed, I am an employee here, I will not come to this stadium as long as these things go”.

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An Australian fan called this site the other day and wanted us to purchase world cup ticket for him and his friend. He says the online booking fails at the last minute after spending all time for filling up data requirements. We obliged, and now we will hold our breadth till he comes and reimburses our money.

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Sukhdev Pandher, who acted as Liaison Officer for various visiting Indian hockey teams in Perth, is already here. He is determined to watch the whole World Cup. He needs some kind of warm welcome, as he spends lot of time and money on visiting Indian teams. Is Hockey India listening?

Thursday witnessed two press conferences, first around 11 AM and the next 19 hours. The first one, held at La Merridean was by ING Life Insurance. They are going to organize nation wide World Cup awarness program. But isn’t their hockey association interesting, after all they refused to sponsor Bangalore PHL team for the second year! Anyway, welcome another partner