World Cup Diary

Off colour off the field

Prabhjot Singh writes from New Delhi

Hockey by chalaki (hockey by intrigues) had been an adage that lost its relevance long time ago. Rather, those who tried to fox their opponents by finer intricacies of the game were punished not only with free hits against their sides but were at times given even green or yellow cards. But now this trait associated with the game has travelled from players to the organisers, including the International Hockey Federation, Hockey India, the Indian Olympic Association and the Organising Committee of the 12th World Cup.

From entry to the Major Dhyan Chand National Hockey Stadium, the venue of the competition, to free interaction with participating teams, team officials, technical officials and even access to the media centre was delayed till last day. Interestingly, it was all blame game. FIH, HI and the IOA putting the entire blame on the security forces, including the police for all chaos that gave this mega event, second time in India since 1982, a foul start. The FIH chief even tried to get away with it by saying he had problems in getting into the stadium.

None was ready to talk about tickets. The online portal gave no indication about VIP tickets that many of overseas Indian hockey fans wanted to buy. Many of them landed here to be frustrated further. Tickets are no more available. Further availability of tickets, they feel, would depend upon the outcome of India-Pakistan match. If India wins, tickets will remain available only at a premium. Otherwise, there would be no takers. It is why they say that final is being played on the opening day of the fortnight long tournament.

Among those unable to get pass, invite or tickets has been German-based orthopaedician Joginder Singh. He has come here with his German wife, daughter and son-in-law with the fond hope that his long association with the team as a doctor would be recognised. In spite of his best of efforts and contacts, both in HI and the IOA, he felt disappointed and started considering returning to Germany even before the tournament got a day old.

Equally disappointed was MS Binepal and his son, Yitender who came all the way from Kenya to watch the World Cup. They had been trying for a month to get VIP tickets of Rs 1,000 each for initial matches and Rs 1,500 tickets for the final. So far they have got none.

Stan and Margaret Salazar from Australia, too, have a similar story to tell. They had been following Indian team in World Cups and Olympics. But home ground experience had been too ‘awful’ for them to remember any longer.

The venue has been converted into a security forces citadel. Entrance for media has a single x-ray machine. Imagine a couple of hundreds of journalists, including cameramen going through long waits for getting their equipment screened. Even coins had to be left in a bucket at the security check counter.