Hockey World Cup will be worst tournament: former Indian captain

NEW DELHI: Former Indian captain Pargat Singh predicted that the World Cup hockey tournament beginning next week in India would be the worst tournament.

Some teams expressed security concerns regarding the mega event which will begin from February 28 in New Delhi and now, Pargat Singh are declaring the arrangements of the tournament very poor.

“This will be by far the worst organised World Cup. I have never seen such mismanagement on different fronts like players, ticketing and the media. What should have been a showpiece event is fast becoming an embarrassment,” Pargat said here on Monday.

“I have been trying to buy tickets for players of my academy for the past two weeks, but still don’t know how to procure them. I have been in touch with an agency called Commune for 10 days now, but am yet to be assured of the tickets. I don’t know what is happening here,” he said.

“If the World Cup is being organised in such fashion, how much better can you expect the same officials of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to do during the Commonwealth Games? I am surprised that the world hockey body (FIH) is also soft in its approach towards this,” was Pargat’s contention.

The accomplished full-back of yesteryear was amazed that the media was being warded off from venues when they should be welcomed with open arms.