No freebies for former players at hockey World Cup

BANGALORE: Many former hockey internationals of the country may have to pay and watch World Cup action in New Delhi from February 28 thanks to Hockey India’s decision to restrict the number of invitations and passes.

This has not gone down well with the former greats of the game with many planning a protest or contemplating boycott of the premier event. The federation hasn’t yet arrived at a consensus on the number of invitees but according to HI sources, the 1975 World Cup winning team, Arjuna awardees, captains and players from the Olympics are likely to be on the list. The others may be forced to queue up.

The list, which may contain around 60-70 names, is likely to be whittled down further. And, with HI reluctant to divulge the percentage of tickets it actually has control over, the final figure remains a mystery.

Even a suggestion to accommodate the cream in a designated stand and reserve a stipulated number of tickets for the rest elsewhere in the stadium hasn’t found an enthusiastic response with HI officials saying that they will have to study the situation.

With just 10 days to go for the World Cup, the vacillation hasn’t helped HI one bit. Aslam Sher Khan, the 1975 World Cupper and an outspoken critic of hockey affairs in the country, said he was ready to lead a protest against Hockey India if the internationals’ requests were not acceded to.

“What is hockey without these icons? What is the World Cup without Indian hockey? Are they telling us that they will enjoy the fruits of our labour and give us nothing in return?” Aslam thundered.

“I want Hockey India to issue passes or tickets to every player who fetched a medal for the country – right from the Olympics to Asia Cup. His family too will have to be accommodated. If it does not happen, the entire hockey fraternity will boycott the World Cup.”

Aslam said he would lead from the front in ensuring that former internationals get their due. “I know that I am part of the 1975 squad which HI plans to invite. But I will not join them. Either they allow the entire hockey fraternity in or face a boycott.”

In fact, a few other players too are planning a march or a protest in New Delhi against Hockey India. Said former India goalkeeper Ashish Ballal: “HI should have invited all of them. The World Cup was a great occasion to make the stalwarts feel important and pay tribute to their contribution. What’s hockey without its stars and history?”

Former captain MM Somaya felt HI could always reserve tickets in another enclosure in advance for the internationals as it wouldn’t be practical to expect all the stalwarts to be accommodated in a single stand. “Hopefully, some arrangement is being made,” he said.

On the other hand, 1980 Moscow Olympics captain Vasudevan Baskaran said he had already booked his tickets online. “I didn’t like the way HI interacted with me when I called up to find out about tickets. My tickets are ready. Whether I get a pass or not, I want to watch the games. If I have to pay and watch, then so be it.”

Tickets available at CCD outlets

NEW DELHI: Tickets for the Hockey World Cup, to be held at the Dhyan Chand stadium from February 28 to March 13, are available at select outlets of Cafe Coffee Day, Union Bank of India branches and many 24×7 convenience stores.

Daily tickets are priced at Rs 100, Rs 500, Rs 1,000 and Rs 5,000 for the group stage matches and Rs 150, Rs 750, Rs 1,500 and Rs 7,500 on the final day. Online booking can be done by logging on to the official website www.msnindia.com/worldcuphockey .