Stephan Veen: This world cup is big
As The Hague extends ‘Welkom’ to the world’s best, Dutch legend Stephan Veen, who has played vital role in his team reaching World Cup medal everytime in the90s and 20s, feels the present number is bigger than the World Cup he figured in his home soils, Utrecht.
Legendary Veen played his third World Cup at Utrecht, where he won the gold under the training of present Performance director of India, Roelant Oltmans.
When asked to compare and specify the significant difference between the both the World Cups that The Netherlands hosted on its soils – one commonality is both time men and women’s were held — he simply said, “this is big”.
Besides, Utrecht and The Hague, Holland also hosted one at Amsterdam, which it won too.
On asked to explain the ‘big’ thing, he termed publicity, number of participants, television coverage, extent of reach are far more as per the demands of the times, than what was at Utrecht.
“World Cups are significant tournament in the hockey calendar, specific to the sport. Unlike Olympics, where every other sports are present, and the atmosphere it entails, is different.”
“World Cup achievement is among the fraternity you know, who follow you, and appreciate everything you long for”.
Other speciality of this World Cup, “you are here”, wound up the discussion in a hurry and he was the company of none other than the Country’s King when broke for a while to share his views with www.stick2hockey.com