Bangkok: Tit Bits here and there Part II
The ride to stadium is pleasant but very long. On a day if the traffic is less, you reach there in 50 minutes, all along high way road. On working days, spare another 20, 30 minutes more at least. I joined the media bus to reach the stadium, traveling in a van earmarked for technical officials. After a few phrases like, ‘you are everywhere’ — this is what some people say whenever they see me — I don’t know it is complement or boredom! — had some discussion with them, forgetting the long journey.
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As the bus enters Rajmangla University campus, where a sports centre caters to hockey and football, my mood is certainly nostalgic, I missed the 1998 Asian Games. At least now am in the same historic place.
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The media room is right above VIP enclosure, it can seat 20 journalists if it is only for them. Besides, Hockey Association of Thailand’s TV crew, a group looking after IT and ball boys and girls volunteers also worked from here. The great news is that the area is wi-fied, strength is good. It is a big relief, the main worry was, considering the fact that the stadium is far off, what will one do if wifi is not there. Thanks to the media managers, this was a great relief.
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Mr. T informs the media room was in the ground opposite to the main entrance in 98, catering to 4, 5 sports played here in the Queen Sikirit Sports Centre. Luckily, now one can watch the match from the media room, and it is great.
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Secretary of the Hockey Association of Thailand (HAT) is Miss Petsuda, who was Tournament Director for the recent Junior Women’s Asia Cup. She is a lecturer, played hockey for Thailand two decades ago. She briefed me about Thailand’s latest effort in doing more on hockey.
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Midway through the tournament, the President of the Hockey Association of Thailand invited the officials for a party at his home. Those attend spoke of his opulence. So many dogs, so many servants, a very big palatial bunglow…that type of things. This president was elected only recently. He is also former minister. The hockey thing about him is, he is spending a lot from his purse to conduct the tournament well.
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A beautiful girl is the announcer here, she is daughter of the President of the HAT.
Interestingly, president’s wife is Manager of the Thailand team. Headline stuff in India, no one takes note of it here.
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Taking note of hockey, it is not taken note of in Bangkok. Not much coverage, though small space here and there in the local language. Of course, English papers are not that popular here. A leading paper’s sports editor is assisting Mr. T.
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India and China’s Korean coaches complain of the nature of second pitch. It looks the second pitch is sub-standard as it is only practice quality. I also feel even the main pitch is of poor quality, so much of bumpy. Most of the teams found it difficult to stop the PC pushed balls due to this. But nobody complains here, and of course they have a dilemma, whom will they complain with no pressman around to be a watch dog? This is also lesson for Indian journalists who make mountain out of mole in such circumstances, bringing SAI, Federation, contractors in to the picture.
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Kaushik says only one pitch was there during 1998 Asiad, he is visiting Bangkok after 11 years. He was not enthusiastic to recollect much of 1998 days, perhaps he is busy with the team.
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Asian Hockey Federation Meeting was held here a day before the semis. No Indian official was there. We don’t know it is a good news or bad. Because, KPS Gill and his Secretary are the elected members of AHF! Of course, Vidhya Stokes, a vice-president of AHF could have well made it, as her team was playing the finals next day. The Opposition Leader in the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly is, as you all know, is a different proposition altogether.