SJFI seeks MS Gill’s intervention on hockey practice coverage

New Delhi: Sports Journalists Federation of India sent a letter to Sports Minister M S Gill and IOA chief Suresh Kalmadi in protest against a ban on media coverage of the national hockey team’s practice on security grounds.

Scribes are not being allowed to cover the practice at the Dhyan Chand Stadium ahead of the World Cup.

In a letter faxed to Gill, Kalmadi and Hockey India President Vidya Stokes, SJFI President S Sabanayakan termed it unfortunate that sports journalists were painted as security threats.

“It is indeed very unfortunate to paint sports writers as security threats. Each sports journalist has an assignment to fulfil and by stopping him/her from discharging his/her duty is not acceptable to the fraternity.”

“… this grievance … needs to be sorted out as early as possible for the successful conduct of the prestigious hockey World Cup. While we appreciate the government’s concern on security, it can at least issue temporary passes so that sports writers can conduct their day to day work smoothly.”

“Sports journalists also will not mind if physical frisking or any other legal mode is put in place to screen them as per security regulations,” the letter said.