By IANS,
New Delhi: Contrary to claims made by former captain and Olympian Pargat Singh, Hockey India (HI) said Monday that they are taking all possible steps to make the World Cup starting here Sunday a resounding success.
“We are fully geared to host the Hero Honda FIH World Cup competition here from Feb 28 to March 13. Australia and Pakistan teams have already arrived in India and the other teams have intimated their arrival schedule as well. The technical officials from overseas have also started arriving. All this augurs well for the success of the competition,” said HI secretary general Narendra Batra.
Batra’s statement comes after Pargat, who is also the secretary of Hockey Punjab, came down heavily on HI for its shoddy work ahead of World Cup.
Pargat called the organisational set-up “pathetic” and said that that the International Hockey Federation (FIH) has been too soft on HI.
“Nobody knows who’s handling the show. There is a lack of vision and planning and everyone is passing the buck. Never in my career have I seen such a shoddy organisation of an event. FIH has been too soft on HI. The World Cup was supposed to be the showcase event for us. Now I am worried about Commonwealth Games,” he told reporters at Punjab Bhavan.
Pargat also wondered why media is not being allowed to cover the national team’s practice.
“I fail to undestand why media has no access to players and the stadium. How can you stop the media from following the team? Security is important but what is happening is nothing but harassment. It is the national team, not somebody’s private team.”
Batra, however, said HI is making arrangements for the media to interact with the particpiating teams.
“FIH (world body) doesn’t allow covering of practice sessions but we have requested them to provide a 30-minute window after the session for media interaction,” he said.
Pargat, who wanted to bring some 200 kids from his academy in Punjab for the World Cup, said he did not know where to get the tickets from.
“It’s sad that hockey fans have no access to the tickets to the tournament. No one knows where to buy tickets to the matches.”
Batra, however, said that sale of tickets is progressing well and these are easily available online.
“Tickets are also on sale in many Cafe Coffee Day and other outlets in the capital. There has been brisk sale of tickets,” he said.
Batra also said that Olympians, members of the 1975 World Cup winning squad and Arjuna Awardees will get complimentary tickets.