Delhi coach AK Bansal said that he feels exhausted after his team lost badly to visiting Wizards. “I never had such a feeling till now in the Hockey India League’, he added before the process of press meet started. Captain Sardar said in a lighter vein:“Coach saab and we feel bad so after one defeat, want to sleep and forget it. Think of Mumbai (Magicians) who have been losing almost for a month”. Sardar is evolving.

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Tushar Khandkar came to mixed zone – where players and media normally converge after each match – and was hearing to what Delhi coach was commenting to media. When contacted his comment on the match, he said to a s2h reporter: “You know everything, what I have to say? The reporter shot back: “Why do you then come here” He replied, “They asked us to come here”. What a bore he is on and off the field.

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When a journalist posted a tough technical question to a team management, its manager replied: “Why don’t you meet us separately”

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There are many people here in HIL who also participated in the Word Series Hockey, perceived rival to HIL. One such is Roelant Oltmans. He was coach of the Delhi team in the WSH. When asked to compare WSH with HIL, visibly embarrassed Oltmans had a rescue: ‘I came only for two matches, as they have changed dates”. The question never asked is, does it mean he did not take the fee?

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Same Oltmans was forthright when asked about his new role as Technical Director of Indian hockey team. “ Now am focused on the present job (HIL) I will take about the new job only from next Tuesday”.

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Most part of side stands of Major Dhyan Chand stadium is vacant for all matches. Yesterday was the first time a HIL match was held 6 PM, the time many young students disperse after training in many grounds of the same stadium. Many of them wanted to witness the match, but the security ring won’t allow them. The League organizers, be it WSH or HIL, they are not compassionate at all. Empty stands are ok, but the bogus ticket, which is always given free, is a must.

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FIH President Leondro was asked will he still mediate between IHF and HI: Among other things he said smilingly. I have met both 16 times. Even now I have got a call from them (IHF)”. To prove that, he almost took out his mobile.

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A reporter on the other day wanted to talk to Ashley Jackson. The PR fellow in charge of such things replied: “I will do it next time.” Probably both are not aware Ashley will come to Delhi only next year, as no Rhino match was scheduled for Delhi this year!

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So far only two foreign journalists were spotted. First one was ever-green Satwant Dhaliwal of Malaysia. He was there in India for the first 3,4 days. Now, on the last leg an Agency reporter from The Netherlands is here. Let us talk less about global reach of HIL.

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Elana Norman, the CEO of HI, was asked about the thin crowd for a particular match in Delhi. “No, the stadium is big here. The same ground in other cities would have looked full”.

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It has almost become routine now to ask foreign players how much Hindi they have learnt. One reporter was so bored of the same question, he wanted a change and asked, “How much Punjabi you know”. The foreign players uttered 3,4 Hindi words!

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Three fourth of floodlights went off just 5,6 seconds left for the final hooter. That was the time Delhi also got a Penalty Corner yesterday. Thankfully, both coaches accepted to go ahead with the game, the penalty corner was taken. Fortunately for the organizers, the mast on that UP circle was in full bloom. Blushes avoided.

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