Indian hockey couldn't have asked for more as the final of the men's Junior World Cup at the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium here today attracted capacity crowd even as foreign media with valid accreditation cards found it difficult to enter the venue.
It was expected to be a packed stadium but with demand in excess of supply, things became a bit chaotic as not an inch of space was left vacant in the 15,000 seater Dhyan Chand Stadium.
Such was the mad rush for a ticket that organisers were forced to open up the upper tiers of stands which till date was covered with sponsors; signboards.
With Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and Governor Ram Naik in attendance, there was huge police presence in the stadium unlike the other 11 days of the tournament.
The city police had to use force to control the fans, who tried to gatecrash into the stadium to watch the much-anticipated match.
The Gate No 2, designated for media and VIP entry and even valid ticket holders were also denied access because of the madness.
Not just the local crowd, foreign media too witnessed the madness as Malaysian TV crew and a Netherlands journalist covering the event were stopped from entering the media enclosure despite possessing valid accreditation cards.
The issue was resolved after local journalists intervened.
"We love out hockey but I have never witnessed such enthusiasm and love for the game anywhere in the world. Even though we had some difficulties in entering the stadium it was an experience of lifetime for us," a Malaysian journalist from Astro TV told PTI.
"People love their hockey here and it was great to see the love and eagerness for their home team," he added.
Such was the scenario that a 1000 odd fans were still waiting outside the stadium in anticipation for a glimpse of the even after its start.
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