Ex Indian hockey players criticize World Cup

NEW DELHI: Hockey world cup came under sharp criticism by former Indian hockey players. The tournament is schedule to begin from February 28 in India.

The man, who led India to the country’s only World Cup win, became a casualty of the apathy of sports officials when he was left stranded outside the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium.

Ajit Pal Singh, who was the captain when India beat Pakistan in the epic final of the 1975 World Cup, was not let inside even as he tried to make security officials understand who he was. He was asked to park his car on one side and it took a number of messages and phone calls before an official was sent to permit him in.

A government nominee and part of the selection process for the World Cup, Ajit Pal threatened not to visit the venue again before he was allowed inside.

“I will boycott the World Cup. Is this how former players are treated in the name of security?” Ajit Pal shouted at officials.

“I have been waiting here for so long. The guards here may not recognise me, but what about the hockey officials sitting inside? Should they not have intimated them that I was expected?” he told media persons outside the venue.

Another former captain, Pargat Singh, has already gone on record saying he feared this would be the worst World Cup ever.