NEW DELHI: Indian Olympic Association chief Suresh Kalmdai on Saturday came out in support of journalists, who have been prohibited to cover the national team’s practice at the Dhyan Chand National Stadium and has asked the Sports Minister MS Gill to let the media enter the venue after clearing all the necessary security checks.

Mediapersons have been kept away from the national stadium where the Indian team is practising for the Hockey World Cup, which is due to commence from February 28.

The stringent security cover for the players, which has forced the scribes to stay away from the training sessions, has left the country deprived of knowing anything about their team’s day-to-day practice even as a tournament of the stature of World Cup is fast approaching.

In a letter to Gill, Kalmadi wrote, “While security concerns of the venue and players are well appreciated, I think we should allow media-persons to enter the stadium and interact with the Indian team members.

“This may, however, be done after they are checked and cleared by security point of view as per laid down procedures. May I request you for kind indulgence in this regard,” he wrote.

A senior member of the Indian team also expressed regret that the media was not allowed to interact with the players as the whole nation would be eager to know how the national team was shaping up for the World.

“It is something that is hard to understand. The whole country must be waiting to hear something about us and the only thing that get to hear or see about us are off-field controversies,” a senior member of the Indian team said after the allegations levelled against the players that they were demanding a huge amount to play in a charity match.

The international community is keeping a close eye on India’s preparations for the World Cup which could well decide the fate of Commonwealth Games that are due to be held in the Capital from October 3-14.

 A millitant group had threatened international teams against participating in the Hockey World Cup and the Indian government has assured a safe and secure event.