FIH president happy with stadium for World Cup

NEW DELHI

Leandro Negre, president of the international hockey federation (FIH), expressed his satisfaction with the preparations for the Hero Honda World Cup to be played here from February 28. Negre, in the capital for an inspection of the Major Dhyanchand National Stadium, said he was happy with the progress.

“Indian hockey has to be very proud of the wonderful stadium that will showcase some of the most important things to the country,” he said. Suresh Kalmadi, president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), accompanied him on the inspection tour.

Negre explained that 2010 was a very important year for the FIH as the two most important tournaments of the sport would be contested — the men’s World Cup in India and the women’s World Cup in Argentina. “So the best place to start with is Delhi,” Negre said.

Kalmadi explained the Indian players would soon be allowed to train there. “The stadium is in its final lap and the players can practice there probably from the first or second week of next month,” he said.

Kalmadi laughed away suggestions that the stadium’s late completion would leave the team with very little time to practice. “India hasn’t lost the home advantage at all. The team is training at its camp in Pune, at home,” he said.

The World Cup will have a total of 38 matches until the final on March 13. Three matches will be played everyday, with the India-Pakistan match slotted for the opening day.

Antonio van Ondarza and Annabelle Dillon, FIH vice-presidents, were also present at the occasion.