Pargat slams IOA, HI for loopholes in World Cup preparation
NEW DELHI: Former captain Pargat Singh on Monday criticised IOA and Hockey India for loopholes in the World Cup preparations and said the organisers are putting country’s image at stake with their substandard planning.
“I don’t know who is handling all the activities. The World Cup should have been a showcase for the country but it is turning out to be a disaster. I have never seen such a bad organisation of any tournament in the world,” Pargat said.
“I don’t know how they are organising but nobody is willing to take responsibility. It’s question of country’s prestige and hockey’s image. It is very unfortunate to see such arrangements for a world event. Even a local club won’t have organised a tournament in such a manner,” Pargat said.
Pargat also said that Indian Olympic Association chief Suresh Kalmadi should take the responsibility of the bad preparation.
“If the IOA says it is handling the World Cup, then I doubt how they will organise a massive event like Commonwealth Games. I don’t know what IOA is doing till date after taking over hockey. Being the head of IOA Suresh Kalmadi should own up the responsible,” added Pargat, who is also the Hockey Punjab secretary.
Pargat also said that with just five days to go for the 12-team event, one could hardly make out that the national capital was hosting such a big tournament because of the lack of publicity.
“There is no organised publicity. India was hosting such a big tournament but media has been kept at bay from the national team. Definitely security is an issue but there are solutions also. Proper arrangements should have been made for the media in advance. It is not a personal team, it is the national team,” said Pargat.
He termed HI as a “free-for-all organisation” and said the office bearers of the ad-hoc national body were only concerned about power and not the game.
“The present officials of HI have only elections in mind. Till now they have completely failed in handling the team, the media, ticketing and other things related to the World Cup.
“They don’t have control over the team. Everybody is talking rubbish and passing on the responsibility,” Pargat said.
On a different note, asked about India’s chances in the quadrennial event, Pargat said, “I would be more than happy if India manage to finish in the top six.”
“Australia and Germany are favourites but Spain, England and Pakistan are good sides. We must not forget in 1994 Pakistan came to the World Cup as underdogs but later went on to win the tournament,” he added.