Thaindian News

Chandigarh, Feb 1 (IANS) Hockey enthusiasts across the country were upset as the state-run Doordarshan failed to telecast the first day’s matches of the Punjab Gold Cup featuring India, Olympic champions Germany, European champions Netherlands and New Zealand. Despite assurances by the Doordarshan officials, the channel failed to telecast the first day’s action and the inauguration ceremony here Saturday.

“There is only one outdoor broadcasting (OB) van here and it was engaged in covering some other cultural event. So we could not avail its services. However, we will try to telecast the matches from Sunday,” a senior Doordarshan official said here Sunday.

“It is a matter of big shame for us that some cultural event is of more importance for us than our national game. I came home early from my office to catch the live action but was disappointed to find that no channel was telecasting it,” said Ajay Sharma, a hockey enthusiast.

Hosts India defeated New Zealand while Holland trounced Germany on the first day of the 10-day tournament.

The spectators in the stadium also faced inconvenience as the electronic screen installed did not work.

“We had done our preparations and every thing was in place but some technical problem came up at the last moment. We will make sure that from Sunday everything works in proper order,” one of the organisers of the event said.

The spectators were also surprised to find that the Indian flag was not unfurled in the stadium. The flags of the other three participating teams were hoisted in the stadium.

The organisers said that the national flag was not unfurled to mourn the death of former president R. Venkataraman Jan 27.