NEW DELHI, (Reuters) – Security arrangements for next year’s World Cup in New Delhi was given the green light by the chief of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) yesterday.
“Security will always be an issue at a major sporting event. I’ve learnt from the police officials that everything is being taken care of,” FIH president Leandro Negre told reporters.
“The security of the players from airport to the team hotel and to the grounds will be very tight. We do not see any problem there.”
Negre added there was no question of relocating the World Cup to another country.
“There is no standby venue as far as FIH is concerned,” he said.
The former Spain goalkeeper was speaking after unveiling leading Indian two-wheeler maker Hero Honda as sponsors for the tournament, to be held in New Delhi from March 7 to 20.
Security concerns have heightened in the sub-continent since militant attacks in Mumbai last November killed 166 people. The ambush of the Sri Lanka cricket team bus in Pakistan in March further fuelled fears that sport could be targeted in the region.
Australia forfeited their Davis Cup tie in Chennai in May after refusing to travel citing security concerns, although the International Tennis Federation (ITF) fined them after giving clearance for the venue.
Organisers of the New Delhi Commonwealth Games in October next year have assured security arrangements to the level of last year’s Beijing Olympics to allay fears of participating nations.
The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) president Mike Fennell last week praised security arrangements being planned for the games.
The hockey World Cup will be staged at a central Delhi stadium being rebuilt for the Commonwealth Games.
Negre urged the eight-times former Olympic champions to use the opportunity as World Cup hosts to regain their lost glory.
“India is one of the most valuable and important members of the FIH family,” he said. “For the global development of hockey, it is important that Indian hockey should come up and play to its true potential.”
The national team, without a global title since winning their last Olympics title at Moscow in 1980, touched their lowest point when they failed to qualify for the Games for the first time in Beijing last year.
They are bidding to regroup under Spanish coach Jose Brasa, who took charge to prepare the squad for the World Cup.
