24 Feb 2010

Tough security measures at Hockey World Cup

6:04 am on 24 February 2010

Tough security measures in place for the hockey World Cup look set to prevent hundreds of fans from watching the opening day's clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan in New Delhi on Sunday.

Tickets for the day's three matches in the 12-nation tournament at the 19 thousand-seater Dhyan Chand National Stadium are not available online or through the designated outlets in the Indian capital.

A website is selling tickets online, but for matches from the second day onwards and only for the general uncovered stands.

Tickets are not being sold for the covered stands on the southern side of the stadium, where the teams' dressing rooms are, for the entire 2-week tournament.

A member of the organising committee declined to comment on why tickets for the opening day were not available, amid speculation that police in plain clothes will fill the stands.

Security concerns for the World Cup were fuelled by a bomb blast last week in the western city of Pune that killed 15 people.

India have imposed a security clampdown for the tournament, which is being regarded as a test run for anti-terror measures ahead of the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi in October.

The media has been barred from entering the stadium or interacting with players until the tournament starts under instructions from tournament director Ken Read.

New Zealand's first match is Monday against Canada.