As the Indian hockey team began getting a feel of the National Stadium, ruckus erupted outside the World Cup venue.

Ruckus erupted outside the World Cup venue with authorities shunting out media on the pretext of security.

A lensman desperate to get a peek inside jumped the gates only to be caught by the policemen, a handful of journalists sneaked in through unguarded gates while the rest fumed in frustration. And all this while the hockey team practiced inside.

Incidentally, the stadium was inaugurated barely 10 days ago by Sports Minister MS Gill amid huge presence of media.

The facility was made available to the national team, which was until now preparing for the mega event at the Balewadi Sports Complex in Pune.

Even though majority of the assembled mediapersons were barred from entering the stadium through the main entrance, a few managed to get in through other gates but after protests from the stranded pack, they were also brought out.

Asked to explain the logic behind keeping the media out of practice sessions, Sports Authority of India joint secretary Pravir Krishn said the decision to restrict scribes was taken keeping in mind security concerns during the February 28-March 13 event.

"Due to security and strategic reasons, the decision has been taken at the highest level not to allow media in training sessions. The restriction will not just be for the Indian team but for every visiting teams," Krishn told PTI.

"Three, four people managed to get in but they were ejected later on," he said.

It has also been learnt that the official spokesperson of every team will brief the media on a weekly basis.

Meanwhile, the 'Asian Age' photographer who tried to jump over the gate was taken by the cops despite apologising.

Fellow journalists too tried to convince the cops for his release but the policemen didn't oblige.

Hockey WC tickets go on sale

Tickets for the forthcoming Hero Honda FIH Hockey World Cup went on sale after Organising Committee joint chairman and Indian Olympic Association president Suresh Kalmadi presented the first entry pass to Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit.

The prices of tickets for the February 28-March 13 mega event have been fixed at Rs 100, Rs 500, Rs 1,000 and 5,000 for the group stage matches while it has been priced at Rs 150, Rs 750, Rs 1,500 and Rs 7,500 for the knockout stages.

The tickets are now available in the official website of the tournament on www.msnindia.com/worldcuphockey.

"The tickets have been priced most reasonably. I am sure that hockey lovers from Delhi and elsewhere will throng the National Stadium during the World Cup to show their love for the game. It is a great chance for them to give hockey in India a huge boost," Kalmadi told reporters at Delhi's Chief Minister's residence.

"With the tickets for the World Cup now on sale, we are again a big step closer to a wonderful hockey event. I am sure that the ticket sales will go beyond our expectations and many matches will be sold out quickly," said FIH president Leandro Negre, who was also present on the occasion.