Junior Hockey World Cup: Foreign teams facing problems due to demonetization
It is not only the common folks of India who are encountering difficulties due to the demonetization policy, several foreigners including players and officials present in Lucknow for the Junior Hockey World Cup are also facing problems in paying their petty expenses. Long queues in front of ATM and in most of the cases, shortage of cash have been a cause of concern throughout the country in the past month.
German coach Valentin Altenburg, who has been coach of the Mumbai franchise in the Hockey India League and a regular visitor to the country, expressed the problems faced by his team during the stay.
As per the reports of Indian Express, Valentin Altenburg said, “We had problems initially. We had to find banks where we could change our currency. It was difficult for us to get money or exchange our currency. We managed to find a bank and get some legal currency but it was not adequate.
“Our hotel, food and travel expenses are taken care off. The boys are also using cards to shop but it becomes difficult to buy gift or souvenir items from street side small shops without money because everyone does not accept card payments here.
“But I heard the move is going to help the economy of India, if this is the case I think it’s a good move,” added the German coach stating the problems faced by the players and the officials.
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Australian coach Ben Bishop also spoke about their problems, though he added that the organizers are helping them in getting some money but the amount is inadequate. “We had issues in the beginning because we faced difficulties in exchanging currency. The local organizers helped us in getting some money which is not adequate,” said Bishop.
The Demonetisation effects are not only confined to Hockey, even the English cricketers touring the Asian country are also facing problems to transact in the local markets.
Last month, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the whole country by storm as he banned the use of 500 and 1000 rupees notes and informed they would be replaced by new 500 and 2000 rupees notes. A measure to curb corruption in India, the ruling Government has been getting different reactions from the countrymen.