Tight security measures for Shastri Hockey

The National Stadium wore a fortified look on the eve of the four-nation Lal Bahadur Shastri women’s under-21 hockey tournament on Monday.

There were over a hundred men in khaki all over the stadium. And, if one of the police personnel is to be believed, there will be more of them when the competition starts.

“More than 400 men in khaki will be deployed tomorrow,” said a Delhi Police personnel, adding that even para-military forces would be stationed at key points.”

Apart from India, the tournament will feature teams from Australia, New Zealand and Germany. The organisers and senior police officials could not give the reason for the heavy deployment.

“I don’t know and I can’t talk to the media,” said Mukesh Walia, the station in-charge of the area.

Hockey India secretary-general, Narinder Batra, was equally in the dark. “As per protocol, adequate security is given to foreign teams,” he said.

Meanwhile, lack of sponsorship is giving the organisers sleepless nights and they might do a rethink on the cash awards to the winner and the best player of each match.

“We had planned cash awards, but due to lack of response from corporate houses, we will now give mementos,” said organising secretary KD Parashar.

“So far, we have received around Rs 20 lakh in sponsorship money. But the overall expenditure is around Rs 50 lakh,” he said.

Home team

HI is fielding its under-18 team that recently claimed the third spot in an international tournament in Bangkok. On the eve of the tourney, the India team went through the paces.

Batra said that HI selectors would scout for talent in the competition.