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Sports Authority of India has barred media entry for security reasons at the Dhyanchand National Stadium. Sports Minister M.S.Gill wants hockey promotion through media but national camp at the Dhyanchand National Stadium was out of bounds for journalists.
The venue was inaugurated for the World Cup commencing on Feb 28.The media had gathered to cover the first training session of the Indian team after their return from Pune but were locked out of the stadium.
The official version is that Sports Authority of India (SAI) has taken the decision to bar media's entry for security reasons and so the training sessions can't be reported. It will be the same for the other participating teams in the World Cup.
A sports ministry spokesman said,"The decision has been taken because of security reasons. The police said they would require a large posse to manage the media persons and expressed their inability to provide adequate security.”
"The same will apply for other teams also when they will practice. We will later appoint one spokesperson from the participating teams to brief the media."
The ministry, however, had no answer as to how an important training camp can be covered without watching the players playing. The hockey officials were also restricted from entering the stadium.
Hockey India (HI) said that the command of the ministry has come as a shock to it.A top HI official said,"We were surprised when we came to know about the development. How can you not allow media inside and expect coverage of World Cup hockey. It will only show the tournament in a poor light. We are going to talk to SAI and ask them to make some arrangement so that at least one player from the team can be present to brief the media every day.”
Even as the media persons were protesting at the main gate, some photographers and reporters slipped from other entry points, making a mockery of the security arrangements.
It has also been learnt that chief coach Jose Brasa has been restrained from talking to the media.Brasa said,"I do not want to say anything.”
