National Stadium far from ready

M.S.Unnikrishnan

Tribune News Service

The media outcry had its desired effect as the International Hockey Federation (FIH) agents finally delivered the media accreditation cards to most of the journalists who had applied for it, but in an atmosphere which was not a best advertisement for the hosts’ ability to mount a memorable Hero Honda FIH World Cup Hockey Championship (February 28-March 13).

The media cards were distributed outside Gate No 2 of the National Stadium, in front of the Delhi High Court, which was bristling with construction activity.

A huge crain, fetching heavy concrete slabs, moved back and forth as agents of the FIH sat distributing the media cards in dusty and chocking conditions.

But Hockey India top officials Dr Lalit Bhanot, Harish Sharma and Narinder Batra came calling at the card distribution point to sort out the many grouses of the scribes, as accreditation applications of some of them were yet to be processed.

All around the National Stadium, construction work was going on at a feverish pitch, though the opening match of the World Cup was just two and a half days away.

Even practice turfs were being laid near the main gate today, and all around lay concrete slabs and construction material in mounts. Though the periphery presented a chaotic sight, the inside of the National Stadium, the actual competition venue, was fully ready to receive the visitors.

But journalists were yet to get the nod to enter the stadium, though FIH officials promised that the scribes may be allowed in at a practice match late tonight, or the training sessions of the teams tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the teams were settling down to their training rhythm without the intrusion of the media, but things were set to change, and get hectic over the next two days.