WG Titbits: Here and There. Last Part

After India defeated England, the refrain from the young volunteers here are, “We will never forget hockey”. Whatever the outcome of hosting the CWG at colossal cost, it has brought hundreds of youngsters to the hockey’s fold, there is no doubt about it, many of them agreed that they saw a hockey match live first time, and it is a superb game, unforgettable.

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It was rather a pitiable sight during the CWG final. As the halftime came close, almost half of the stands were empty, the dejected fans having walked out.

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The gold medal was handed over to Australia by the Union Minister of Sports, Dr. MS Gill. However, there was some confusion as the name of Suresh Kalmadi, who till then present, was called for the duty. Couple of minutes later, minister came in to fill in the gap.

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FIH president, known for his simplicity, stunned a few media men on the final when he sat in a computer system, trying to take a print out, taking the help of a volunteer. The print out he needed was his boarding pass.

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Even after an hour after India’s loss to Australia, a family of six was sitting on the front row, waving to returning Indian players. Leading them is Sandeep Dixit, son of Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dixit. “I love hockey, I have so far watched about 300 international matches”, he said. He is also Member of Parliament. “You see my constituency starts half km from this stadium, I miss this stadium”, he quipped.

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One row on the VIP side was very impressive for the final. Mrs. Suresh Kalmadi, Suresh Kalmadi, Press Advisor to PM, Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Ajit Pal Singh, Zafar Iqbal, Col. Balbir Singh and Ashok Kumar, in that order were seated. At least twice when Indian team attacked, Sonia Gandhi raised her hands upwards expecting good moments.

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All the dignitaries saw the match full 70 minutes.

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After the final, I spotted AB Subbaiah, Ignace Tirkey and Md. Riaz on the VIP area, so also HJS Chimni, Harbinder Singh.

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Former Miss India and socialite Nafiza Ali was among the popular faces on the stand.

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After India defeated England in the semis, a couple of Indian players sought and got Indian tricolour from the crowd, and held atop while making round of the stands. Perhaps they were aware next day the chance for that may not happen!

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Jose Brasa was wearing gaggles during the press conference on Thursday, only time he did so in the entire fortnight.

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Sebastian Coe witnessed India-England match, and came to Sean Kerly’s desk during the lemon break.