New Delhi: The International Hockey Federation today expressed satisfaction on the preparation of next month's FIH World Cup and said the venue for the event, Major Dhyanchand National Stadium is one of the best ones in the world.
An FIH delegation lead by president Leandro Negre and
Indian Olympic Association chief Suresh Kalmadi carried out an
inspection of the National Stadium here this evening where the
mega-event would be held from February 28 to March 13.
"2010 is a very important year for FIH. We have two World
Cups, first the men's World Cup here and then the women's
World Cup in Argentina. We are spending a lot of time to make
both the events a success," Negre told reporters.
"FIH had lot of concerns that things were not organised
properly in one of our member countries. But now we are very
happy with how things are moving here. The stadium is
beautiful. It will be one of the most important hockey
stadiums and the FIH appreciates the work of all stakeholders
in building it.
"Everything is ready in the stadium and we just need the
furniture to be in place. One turf is already ready and the
other will also be completed very soon," he added.
Interestingly, India's chief coach Jose Brasa had
recently said if the hosts desire to capitalise on home
advantage, the stadium has to be made available to his wards
at the earliest.
But IOA president Kalmadi said with thousands of fans
cheering for them, the Indian players will always feel at home
during the mega event.
"The stadium is in the final lap. I hope the Indian team
can start training on it in the first or second week of next
month.
"The Indians are already at home in Pune and it won't be
a problem. Anyways the Indian players will get more time in
the stadium than any other team," he said.
Incidentally, there won't be any tournament to test the
facilities of the National Stadium, the construction of which
is in final stages, before the World Cup after the four-nation
event was cancelled earlier this month.
But the FIH president said a test event was not mandatory
for a hosting nation to organise before the World Cup.
"It is not mandatory but we had recommended it as the
stadium is a new one. As far as I know a few matches will be
played here before the World Cup," Negre said.
Negre also said he was confident of India providing the
best possible security during the mega event, a topic which is
matter of concern for some participating countries.
"In this time security is a concern everywhere not just
in India. Off course there are some countries which have
approached us with the security issue but we have assured them
that India will give the best security," the FIH president
said.
PTI
First Published: Tuesday, January 19, 2010, 21:55