Now, coins a security threat

NEW DELHI - The mediapersons had to empty their pockets of coins as part of the latest security drill for the Hockey World Cup on Day One at the sprawling Dhyan Chand National Stadium here Sunday.

Harried and harassed over the last few days following intense security restrictions, mediapersons were at their wits end when they were told by the security personnnels that they would not be allowed to enter the stadium with coins.

And this followed after an hour-long wait at the stadium gate despite reaching at the scheduled time of 1 p.m.

“Nobody will be allowed before 2 pm,” decreed a police officer manning the gate.

When scribes protested that they have been asked to report at 1 p.m. by the agency handling the media, the officer denied receiving any such instructions, once again highlighting the poor coordination between various agencies working for the event.

But the real surprise was in store for them later. “Nobody will be allowed with coins. Please take the coins out of your pocket and deposit here. You can take them back after the match,” the officer said pointing to a tray kept near the gate.

The announcement led to immediate resentment among the journalists who had queued up at the gate, but had to finally relent.

In no time the tray was filled with coins, including some foreign currencies.

When journalists sought to know the reasons for the restriction, the officer said: “It is meant for security reasons so that players are not targeted with the coins.”

While depositing the coins in the plastic tray, some journalists were heard cracking jokes: “See your coins for the last time.”