PHF clarifies position on Champions League absence

KARACHI: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) on Wednesday issued a press release to clarify its position on the issue of national team’s non-participation in the Champions Trophy 2016, to be played from June 10-17, in London.

According to the release, the PHF had demanded FIH to allow its team participation in the Champions Trophy through a wild-card entry when the world hockey body’s president Leonardo Negro visited Pakistan last year. At that time, the FIH refused to allow the greenshirts any wild-card entry.

The PHF then shifted its focus to preparing the team for World Cup 2018 qualification.

But when Netherlands refused to take part in the Champions League last week, the FIH proposed to PHF a wild-card entry into the event. The PHF, citing lack of time to prepare the team for the tournament as well as risking to shake the confidence of the players in case of a defeat, decided not to participate in the event. Pakistan are due to feature in the World Cup 2018 qualifiers next year.