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Pak hockey coach unhappy with security in Delhi

February 24, 2010 15:07 IST

The security being given to them in Delhi has done little to inspire confidence in the Pakistani hockey team and coach Shahid Ali Khan is unhappy with safety arrangements for his players in the World Cup starting on Sunday.

Shahid said he was unhappy with the security arrangements for the team especially while they were travelling from the hotel to the ground.

"I think there is need for more security for a tournament of such nature especially when we are traveling," the former Olympian was quoted as saying by Geo TV.

Shortly afterwards, another channel Express News reported that Pakistan Hockey Federation secretary Asif Bajwa had expressed his satisfaction with the security arrangements.

"No there is no issue with the security arrangements we are satisfied with the way we are being looked after," Bajwa, who is also the team's manager said.

The security of the Pakistan team in India has become a big talking point in the media here with The News reporting from Delhi that the security being provided to the team was not of the level promised by the organisers.

Shahid told the newspaper that the players were getting 'normal' security cover in India.

"What we have got here is normal security, something which we would see during any international event back home," Shahid said.

"We get police escorts when we go to the stadium for practice but there are a few security people on our hotel floor. It's nothing extraordinary," he said.

Shahid also said that he has told the players to leave aside the security issues and just focus on the tournament itself.

"It is a big tournament and we are focusing on the big match against India," he said.

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