Junior World Cup in India PHF to write to FIH

KARACHI: The PHF secretary Shahbaz Ahmed has said that Pakistan is committed to participate in all international hockey events and does not want politics to affect sports ties.

Pakistan are to play the Junior World Cup in December in India, but their participation remains doubtful because of the tension between the two neighbours.

The tension between India and Pakistan has been increasing with each passing day. India has adopted a boycott policy as it did not invite Pakistan to participate in Kabaddi World Cup.

Pakistan have won the Junior World Cup twice. And it was Pakistan that introduced this event in hockey in 1979.

There are people who fear that the Indian government might create hurdles in Pakistan’s participation in the Junior World Cup.

Shahbaz said that he would tell FIH that in case of any worsening of Pakistan-India relations, Pakistan’s pool matches should be played at some other place.

The PHF has decided to complete its preparation for the event.

Sources said that PHF was waiting for the directives of the government keeping in view the political situation of the region.

The PHF secretary said that PHF would write a letter to FIH and express all its concerns with respect to the prevailing situation.

He said that PHF can request FIH to shift the matches of Pakistan to some other country. “But it is premature to say anything; let’s see what happens,” he said.

The PHF secretary said that the preparation of Pakistan’s senior and junior teams for tournaments in Malaysia was complete.

The seniors depart from Karachi on Saturday (today).

The juniors are to go later this month.

Shahbaz said both teams were in good form and that he expected them to give tough time to the opponents.

Pakistan are important contenders in the Junior World Cup and have been training for it for a long time.