Short-sighted official

Dec 1: While the Indian Women8217;s Hockey Federation IWHF has done a commendable job in organising the women8217;s Asia Cup hockey here in the Capital, a lot of good work was undone today due to the canopies set up at the sidelines of the turf. The three canopies, put up by the organisers for the two teams and the technical bench, not only hampered the view of the spectators but also of the mediamen sitting at the enclosed western end.

However, more than the obstruction, it was the attitude of the officials that was baffling. The journalists met the organisers after the morning match between South Korea and Japan and requested the organisers to remove the canopies or shift them to the other end, as has been the practice in the past at the National Stadium. However, the canopies stayed put even when India played Malaysia later in the evening. It was almost impossible to make out what was happening out in the middle. Even the Korean and Chinese teams sitting behind the Press box were seen complaining about the obstruction.

IWHF secretary general Amrit Bose, when approached by journalists, asked them to meet the tournament director Angeline Ee. 8220;I cannot decide, she can help you,8221; was her cryptic comment.

Ee had a different picture to give. 8220;The canopies have been put up by the organisers, and not on my request. Anyway, the technical bench people will suffer from heat stroke without the canopy, and sun will get into their eyes if they are shifted to the eastern end,8221; she said.

Another FIH ground offical then came up with a shocker: 8220;The game is for the players, so what is all this fuss about,8221; she said.

However, Ee soon changed her mind and came to the Press box to check the view from there. Good sense finally prevailded when Vidya Stokes, the IWHF president informed that the 8220;canopies will be removed this night8221;.