On Thursday was opened accreditation centre for journalist in Kharkiv and Lviv.

World Sport” is among the editorials which are given the accreditation for the championship by UEFA. At 9 o’clock we were at the destination.  Until opening the centre, two workmen were fixing the entrance.  The accreditation centre is located in the auto-saloon of “Hyundai” on the ground floor. As for the staff, most of them are local residences, who were helped by the two men from UEFA. Everything is arranged in a high level and entering there at once is felt how UEFA appreciates journalists. Accreditation process did not last for a long time. After showing necessary documents, I was asked to hold on a little and in ten minutes my name and surname were written on the board hanging on the wall, which meant that the accreditation process was finished. The journalists who had accreditation were presented special bags from UEFA.
“World Sport” attends all the three groups matches – Germany-Denmark, Holland-Germany and Portugal-Holland. Besides these, I also have right to attend the last match of the group between Ukraine and England which is planned to be held in Donetsk. In case of losing accreditation, for giving the accreditation again during 24 hours journalist has to apply for accreditation centre and has to pay 150 EUR converted into Ukrainian Grivna or into Pole Zloty, it is depended where he/ she is.
In one hour after opening the accreditation centre, at 10 o’clock (Ukrainian time) was opened media-centre. It is two-storied and it is for 500 journalists. There are about 15 switched note-books with Internet on the desks. He/she who has his/her own a portable computer can use just Internet//WIFI. Journalist has to come to the media-centre, before each match for taking right of attendance to this match. If journalist does not take accreditation for some concrete match, UEFA sends him/ her so called “yellow card” via an e.mail. In case of repeat he/she will be given “red card”.   As a result, he/she will not be able to attend other matches.
On Thursday the media-centre works till 18:00 o’clock (Ukrainian time). During match days, in the morning from 10 A.M. to 1 A.M. if the match starts at 19:00 o’clock (Ukrainian time), from 10 P.M to 2 A.M., if the match starts at 21:45 o’clock.
On the first day of accreditation, the accreditation centre was full mostly with German, Dutch, Italian and Ukrainian journalists. Next to the media-centre, TV companies have already brought their high-level equipment and they are making reportages.
As for the volunteers and stewards, they used to go to the accreditation centre for taking some information, but now there is another place special for volunteers, where they can also rest. Instructors give volunteers and stewards advice about what they have to do. A little time is left before the first match, which is to be held in Kharkiv.
 

Lasha Tabagari, special correspondent of  “World Sport” from Kharkiv

Author’s photos