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July 27 - Security concerns over the 2010 World Cup in New Delhi were dismissed today by Leandro Negre (pictured), the President of the International Hockey Federation (FIH).

 

 

He said: "We are very happy with the arrangements.

 

 

"Security will always be an issue at a major sporting event but I have learnt from Indian police officers that everything has being taken care of.


"The security of the players from the airport to the hotel, and to the grounds, will be very tight. We do not see any problem there."

 

Security concerns in South Asia have increased after the terror attack on Mumbai in November last year which left 166 people dead and the attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in the Pakistani city of Lahore in March.


Officials have in recent months been forced to defend New Delhi as a venue for the Commonwealth Games next October after some countries, notably Australia, expressed fears about security.


Australia, one of the world's top field hockey nations, refused to send tennis team for the Davis Cup tie against India in the southern city of Chennai due to security worries.

 

Negre made his comments as Honda were unveiled as the main sponsor for the tournament, which is due to take place between March 7 and 20 next year.

 

Negre said the FIH was not looking beyond New Delhi as the World Cup host city and hoped the successful conduct of the 12-nation tournament would revive interest in the sport in India.


He said: "There is no standby venue as far as FIH is concerned.


"India is one of the most valuable and important members of the FIH family.

 

"For the global development of hockey, it is important that Indian hockey should come up and play to its true potential.
 

"The FIH hopes that hosting the 2010 World Cup will give a tremendous boost to Indian hockey."
 

Eight-time Olympic champions India failed to qualify for the 2008 Beijing Games but have gained an automatic entry for the World Cup by virtue of being the hosts.

 

Hockey India President Mattoo claimed 2010 would be a landmark year in the history of Indian hockey for the sheer magnitude of the event to be held in the national capital.

 

He said: "Hockey India is proud to be associated with FIH in hosting the 12th Men's Hockey World Cup.

 

"We have taken the right step towards the revival of the game.

 

"The year 2010 will be a milestone for Indian hockey because of the World Cup and Commonwealth Games.

 

"It's for the second time India has been given the honour to host the hockey World Cup," he added.

 

The only time India hosted the hockey World Cup was back in 1982 in Mumbai, where arch-rivals Pakistan emerged as the winners.

 

Hero Honda Managing Director Pawan Munjal said although hockey went through many ups and downs in the last decade, the national game still continued to be an integral part of India's sporting tradition.

 

He said: "Despite India being a cricket-frenzy nation, the game of hockey has managed to regain its identity.

 

"Hockey is not just a game, it's a very important part of our history and sporting tradition.

 

"The World Cup will help revitalise the public interest in the game," he added.

 

India have won the tournament once in 1975 in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur.