Hockey World Cup not a test event for CWG

The organisational hazards at the recently concluded Commonwealth shooting championship in the capital has put the Hock- ey World Cup under the scanner, with Common- wealth Games Federation president Mike Fennell expected to take stock of the situation on his visit here next week. Fennell, who will arrive here on Sunday, will gauge security ahead of the 2010 Commonwealth Games in October.

Though the hockey event is not a test event for the CGF, the officials are expecting to get some valu- able information from the FIH as regards security and organisation.

Said CGF CEO Mike Hooper, “The ongoing Hockey World Cup cannot be labelled as a test event for the Commonwealth Games.

It is an event conducted by the FIH and Hockey India and has nothing to do with the organising committee or the CGF. Having said that we are looking forward to the FIH sharing their reports with us after the tourna- ment. There will be valuable lessons for us to learn from the World Cup.”

Hooper added that the event would also be a per- fect opportunity to check Delhi’s readiness for a big event. Fennell will visit Delhi along with chef-de- missions of the 71 Com- monwealth Games Associa- tions. They will inspect sev- eral venues on their five-day visit, including the National Stadium.

Hooper also said that the CGF’s security expert team also would be visiting India for a proper assessment. “The World Cup has provid- ed us an opportunity to assess security arrange- ments. The security is good, but still it is a subjective issue.

“What’s good today might not be sufficient tomorrow.
We reviewed it again after the blast in Pune. Our secu- rity experts will assess the arrangements again next week,” Hooper said.