Media uproar over National Stadium entry

Sports Reporter

NEW DELHI: Hockey India (HI) President Vidya Stokes had a tough time on Thursday dealing with mediapersons, who demanded a satisfactory explanation from the federation as to why the media was being barred from entering the National Stadium and witnessing the practice of the Indian team in the build-up to the Hero Honda World Cup tournament.

The media has not been allowed to watch the practice at the World Cup venue ever since the Indian team shifted its training base from Pune to Delhi more than a fortnight ago.

When asked what had led to the situation that the media was unable to report on the Indian team with such an important tournament just 10 days away, Mrs. Stokes, present at a press conference for the announcement of ING Life’s partnership with the World Cup, said, “It is a question of security. The guidelines have been given by the Government and we have to follow them.”

Loss for words

However, when mediapersons vociferously demanded to know who set such unprecedented and preposterous guidelines, Mrs. Stokes was at a loss for words to explain. “How can I say who decided? I cannot name anybody,” she said before hurriedly leaving the venue.

The efforts of the Competition Director of the World Cup, Muneer Sait, to convince the media proved futile.

A photographer was detained by the police on the first day of practice of the Indian team and journalists have been demanding access to the stadium ever since without getting a response from the authorities. HI has so far pleaded its helplessness by stating that the stadium authorities (Sports Authority of India) had brought in such restrictions.

Growing feeling

The SAI, in turn has tried to pass the buck, stating that it was a restriction imposed by the international federation (FIH).

With no one to co-ordinate media access to the stadium and with security becoming the most important issue in recent weeks, there is a growing feeling here that the “security angle” would continue to be used to prevent the media from snooping around the stadium and reporting on the incomplete, dug-up, dusty conditions inside the complex.

Sources in the organising committee said that the police had only on Wednesday night suggested unprecedented restrictions for entry through the main gate during the tournament for only accreditation card holders, posing a question mark over the arrangements for ticket-holders and invitees, from India and abroad, who would be seated on the pavilion side.

Meanwhile, the ING launched a programme — ‘Pass the josh’ — to promote the World Cup in the northern part of the country.

The campaign, carrying an official fan wall, will cover more than 3000 km through 40 towns in states like Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan. The fan wall will also be available on the portal www.passthejosh.com.

A member of the Indian team, Tushar Khandker, hoped that this would be a memorable World Cup for the players. He did not agree that not playing practice matches against big countries would have an adverse effect on the side. “People will say this is not enough. It (not playing against big teams) does not mean that we are under-prepared,” he said.

Undue importance

Khandker, playing his second World Cup, said undue importance was being given to India’s opening match against arch-rival Pakistan. “There are other teams in the World Cup.

All the matches are important for us. It is not just Pakistan,” he said.

He said the team had adjusted well to the newly-laid pitch and would be under no pressure while playing in front of the home crowd.