New Delhi, Feb 24 (IANS) In what turned out to be an embarrassing situation for the organisers and International Hockey Federation (FIH) just four days before the start of the World Cup, media Wednesday walked out of a promotional event protesting over the restrictions imposed on them for the coverage for the tournament.
During the announcement of a 'major partner' of the World Cup --Karbonn Mobiles, agitated journalists protested loudly and vehemently, not allowing FIH spokesman Arjen Meijer to speak and later walked out of the event.
The media has been sore on several issues, including the ban on coverage of national team's practice sessions at the Dhyan Chand Stadium, no access to team hotels and the stringent verification process for the accreditations.
Tournament director Ken Read in a statement Monday said that the accreditations are "expected" to be ready only on Feb 27, a day before the start of the tournament and til then there would be no media access for team's practice sessions.
"We are not allowed to cover the practice session of the Indian team and we are also not allowed to enter the team hotels. How can media function under such circumstances?" the journalists asked.
Stunned by the media walk-out, Meijer later apologised to the media and requested them to hear him out. He tried to convince them to return by assuring them that their concerns will be looked at.
Pradeep Jain of Karbonn Mobiles said it is very embarrassing for the sponsors.
"We can re-consider our sponsorship deal in future, if media is not allowed a proper coverage."
The public relations company hired by FIH blamed the Delhi Police for the security hassles.
Meijer was informed about how the media was ill-treated by security personnel at the venue and the team hotel.
Meijer later said: "I am helpless. I am on your side and that's why I have come here. We will sort out all the accreditation issues by today. Let us not look into the past. I cannot change whatever has happened. But I will ensure that everything will be properly managed from now."
"We were ready with the accreditations in January, but every time something or ther other came up in the last minute. We have to follow the authorities here. There has been overwhelming response from the media in India and overseas for this World Cup. It is going to be one of the biggest ever, and we know that we have to see that these problems are solved at the earliest."
After a meeting of the Coordination Commission of the World Cup Tuesday, it was decided that media would be allowed access to the team's practice sessions from Thursday. This, however, was not implemented.