25th January: 5th Women’s Asia Cup scheduled to start on 31st January will now be held from 1st February. There is no change in the date for the final, which will be held at 14.30 (IST) hours on Sunday the 8th February.
After changing it thrice in the last week, the Tournament Director Stephanie Hodges of Singapore has `finally’ sealed her stamp of approval on the fixtures of the 8-day tournament on Saturday.
The tournament will kick off on 1st February with a match between Singapore and Japan on Pitch No.2 at 10.30 hours. There will be four matches a day each on 1, 2, 4 and 6th February with the early morning match on Pitch 2 while three others on main pitch at the Major Dhyan Chand National stadium. 3rd and 5th February will the rest day before the semis and preliminary classification matches will be held on 6th February, and 5th and 7th position deciders on 7th.
Originally the Indian organizers proposed two matches each day, which from the point of view of spectators would have been ideal. The TD has first cleared it but changed it to three matches a day later before now ultimately to four matches a day. Packing four matches a day does not seem to be a good decision.
The Malaysia and Japan teams will be reaching on 25th but will have to wait for a day for opening their kit bags. On 26th happens to be India’s Republic Day, and the main parade will be held in the vicinity of the National stadium, traffic movement will not restricted in that area. Malaysia and Japan, therefore will have to cool off at Delhi for day without any practice.
Meanwhile, it is reliably learnt the Championship will go without a title sponsor, though Punjab & National Bank and IFFCO has chipped in with Rs. 5 lack each as cop-sponsors. The last edition of the Asia Cup, also held in Delhi in 1999, was sponsored by Hero Honda, world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturers.
There is also a doubt whether the matches will be telecast live. Though the orgnisers are in touch with Doordarshan, the national telecasters, final word is yet to heard on the matter.
The organizers have yet again fail to do something that can be categorized as a media management. As a result, there is not even customary coverage in the media. The Indian Women Hockey Federation will be convening a press meet to announce team and sponsors on 30th Jan. at 15.00 hours at the Committee room of the National Stadium.