New Delhi: Taking serious note of the media ban imposed on Indian hockey team’s practice sessions, IOA chief Suresh Kalmadi on Saturday shot off a letter to Sports Minister MS GIll, asking him to intervene in the matter and allow scribes inside the ground after thorough security check.
The matter got some fire after the Sports Journalists Federation of India on Friday sent a letter to Gill, Kalmadi and Hockey India president Vidya Stokes in protest against the restriction on media coverage of the national team’s training at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here on the pretext of security.
In his letter to the Sports Minister, Kalmadi had appreciated the security concerns keeping in mind the volatile scenario but said media should be allowed access to the venue of the February 28-March 13 tournament after thorough security checks.
“It has been brought to my notice by Sports Journalists’ Federation of India that journalists are not being allowed inside the National Stadium to interact with the Indian hockey team and cover their practice sessions.
“While security concerns of the venue and the players are well appreciated, I think we should allow mediapersons to enter the stadium and interact with the Indian team members. This may, however, be done after they have been checked and cleared from security point of view as per laid down procedures,” the letter read.
“May I request you (Gill) for your kind indulgence in this regard,” it added.
Bureau Report
First Published: Saturday, February 20, 2010, 17:23