The Hindu : Media comes under the IHF microscope

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Sep 10, 2003

Sport

Sport - Hockey

Media comes under the IHF microscope

NEW DELHI SEPT. 9. The Indian hockey team seems to have understood its problems for the below par fare in the Champions Trophy tournament recently in the Netherlands.

The constant media glare has been viewed as the major reason for the team losing its focus, or at least that is what the chief coach Rajinder Singh apparently believes, as he has requested the authorities to keep the media away during the team's practice sessions at the National Stadium here.

In fact, the team practised `in camera' on the second ground, with the security guards not only keeping the media persons away, but also some genuine fans who had come as far away as from Faridabad to watch the team in person.

At a time when the media, especially the TV channels, has given a huge boost to Indian hockey, making Dhanraj Pillay, Gagan Ajit Singh, Dilip Tirkey, Jugraj Singh and many others household names, it was an illogical step from the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) to shun the media.

The TV camera crews were stopped at the main gate itself, while the reporters could walk into the stadium administrator's room for a clarification on the unprecedented situation.

"The coach has given in writing that he does not want the practice sessions to be disturbed by the media," said the administrator of the National Stadium, Mr. Manmeet Singh Goindi, as he expressed his helplessness to mediapersons on Tuesday.

The chief protocol officer of the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF), Mr. Suresh K. Sharma, said that the matter had been discussed by the coach with the president of the IHF, Mr. K.P.S. Gill, and it was decided not to entertain the media, at least for the time being.

When suggested that the team could handle the media after the practice sessions at a prescribed time, Mr. Sharma said that he would discuss the idea with the coach and the authorities for making such a provision.

Apparently, the dagger hangs over the head coach Rajinder Singh, as he is under pressure to get good results in the Asia Cup to be held in Kuala Lumpur from September 21 to 29.

It is not as if Rajinder Singh does not understand the role of the media, as he has been busy penning a column during the last few tournaments including the Champions Trophy.

Maybe, the team does not want to reveal its trump cards, particularly in the absence of penalty corner specialist Jugraj Singh, who is recuperating in a hospital in Punjab following a car crash.

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