Tit bits here and there

Something was missing in the line up here in the Azlan Shah Cup. We are not talking about any national team line up. Its about something else, missing flags. On all three sides of the stands, except the VIP and the main one, flags of all countries are hoisted here. The other day the oranizers found to their dismay China and the State flags were found missing from these line up. Were these stolen or just like that. Nobody knows.

Former FIH Committee Chairman von Ruth is here, going to conduct clinics for local umpires. He wonders why such important matches like one between Germany and Holland did not attract good crowd in the recent World Cup. He says he saw in television that most of the non-India matches are played against near empty stands. It’s a news to us.

India turned up for practice on Saturday in the evening, only to find heavy rains. Just made some warm up exercises, returned to hotel before time. But one has to thank these rains the climate now is better than what it was in the first two days. It’s still hot though.

The media room here is compact, can chair 15, closed enclosure. Only reporters are allowed here, visual and photo media persons can sit at the top row of main gallery or in the press brief room. Despite air-coned, two pedestal fans had to be brought in to make the room comfortable. You can see often many people come for brief breaks.

Most of the matches sultan Azlan Shah is present, teams always come to him and make a respectable bow before the matches, he stands up and reciprocate. India did not do it, but on Tuesday they did. It seems someone reminded it.

Asian Hockey Federation brings out quarterly bulletin, November and March issues were distributed here.

To attract crowd, organizers distribute coupons to spectators. We in the media also got one each. The draw was taken on Tuesday, winner got one air-Asia ticket, there are other prizes as well.

In general, Malaysia matches attract maximum crowds, almost full stands. As I saw in 2008, India-Pakistan matches don’t attract any special crowd here. Of course there were some fans holding Pakistan flag, no one brought Indian flag, though organizers brought school children to cheer each team. They are honest in their assinged job

Charlesworth don’t sit on the team bench, assistant coach Graham Reid instead. He and German Paul Lissek sit together in the main gallery, taking notes and discussing. The other day Charlesworth was shouting at umpires for not giving stroke against India, but no way umpire could have heard him.

The Korean coach, former depender, knows English pretty well, and relishes his press conferences, but the best quotes come from Pakistan manager Junaid. After elevator quote, the other day he said, “We are testing here, while senior players are rusting there (Pak)”.

Half a dozen families of Australian players are here, and it is usual as parents accompany tours to cheer up their wards. They are vocal in support, and line up for pep talk after the match, even as the players line up for warm down.

It’s after sometime that Australian team has an Anglo-Indian. Previously it was captain Paul Gaudoin. Defender Christopher in the present team is half Anglo Indian. His grand father played for Mohan Bagan in Kolkata. His father married an Italian and settled in Australia.