Interview

7 February Gills speaks about more positive media

Interview Date : 2010-02-07

Interview By: Mynews

Description :

Brushing aside criticisms over the refusal of entry to media at the Major Dyanchand National Stadium earlier this week, Sports

Minister M S Gill today said the press should rather be focussed on the ministry's commitment to organise a successful World Cup here, from February 28-March 13. The Indian hockey team, who have been undergoing the final leg of their preparation for the mega-event at the newly-built stadium National Stadium, remained out of reach of the mediapersons, who were denied entrance into the venue.

A newspaper photographer was even detained by the police for trespassing after he was caught and handed over by the stadium security. However, he was later released. Gill said the fourth estate should not engage themselves with these things, and should be more focussed on the efforts to ensure a successful World Cup.

''Everyone knows why the media persons were not allowed to enter the World Cup venue. There were lot of security concerns as the national players have been practicing there, which forced us to take that step.

''I think the media persons should be happy that we are committed to organise a successful World Cup at the capital city rather than making a fuss over the issue,'' said Gill, on the sidelines of the Kohinoor Foods Invitational Golf event at the DDA Qutab Golf Course, here.

He further revealed that all the problems between Hockey India (HI) and the men's and women's team have been sorted out.

''Everything has now fallen into place, and all problems with the senior hockey players have been sorted out now. ''We have held meetings with the national players and they are satisfied with the money the hockey federation has announced on behalf of them,'' the Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs said.

Gill exuded confidence that the country will showcase a world class tournament at the World Cup, with the revamped National Stadium being touted as one of the best hockey stadia in the world.

The minister was, however, on India's chances at the World Cup. ''That will totally depend on the player's performance and committment on the field,'' Gill told UNI.

The Sports Minister said after a successful hockey World Cup, the Ministry's target will be to promote football at the grass-root level.

He, however, ruled out the Sports Ministry's role in taking golf to the masses in the future.

''Golf is a rich people game and the Minitry will not adopt the sport as it will take at least 200 years to reach out to the common people.

''The Ministry cannot do anything in promoting the game, but perhaps the corporates who have a good hold over the game can bring about a change,'' said Gill, who was also one of the participants among the eight players at the Invitational tournament.

''Players like Jeev (Milkha Singh), (Gaganjueet) Bhullar have been performing well at the Asian and European Tour and that is great thing for the sport as well as the upcoming golfers in the country,'' said the Padma Vihushan awardeem, who also feels that the large number of sponsors enganged with Golf can also play a major role in promoting the sport.

Gill said there been a lot of newly-built golf courses, and the sport are gradually reaching out to the middle-class people.

''A new golf course in Dwarka will also be made open for the public before March,'' he added.

Source mynews.in