New Delhi: Virtually shunning mediapersons from covering training and practice matches of participating teams in the hockey World Cup starting on Sunday, the FIH on Tuesday said it will issue accreditations only a day before the event and no access will be allowed to the venue without them.
After persistent pressure from the media circle, Hockey India on Tuesday requested the International Hockey Federation to facilitate journalists frequent access of the participating teams as well as players but the FIH shot it down.
The FIH made it clear that journalists will be restricted entry into the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, the venue for the February 28-March 13 mega event, till the activation of the accreditation passes.
"The teams have started to arrive in Delhi for the Hero Honda FIH World Cup. Training has commenced at the Major Dhyanchand National Stadium. Media access to training will not be possible until accreditations are active, which is expected to be on Feb 27th," FIH tournament director Ken Read said.
Mediapersons have been restricted from entering the stadium since the first week of this month on the pretext of security after the Indian team shifted its base from Pune.
In spite of repeated pleas from various circles, including Indian Olympic Association President Suresh Kalmadi, no measures have been taken by the organisers till date to address the issue, which has severely affected the promotion of the 12-team quadrennial tournament.
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