Bajwa rues lack of indoor hockey facilities

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan did not even participate in the qualifying round of the 6th FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup, which will be played in Belgium from February 3-7, 2021.

Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Secretary Asif Bajwa told ‘The News’ on Wednesday that Pakistan did not attend the qualifying round as the country does not have facilities for indoor hockey. “Indoor hockey has separate rules and need a separate playing field. The PHF hopes to establish facilities and I feel efforts should have been made earlier in this regard,” he said.

The Indoor Hockey World Cup — awarded to Belgium’s national association by the FIH Executive Board — will see 12 teams competing in both the men’s and women’s contests, all aiming to follow in the footsteps of Austria’s men and Germany’s women, who are the defending champions.

Speaking about the decision to hold the event in February, FIH CEO Thierry Weil said: “With its speed, intensity and excitement, indoor hockey is an important and much-loved form of our sport, and I am greatly looking forward to the sixth edition of the FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup taking place in Belgium.

“I would like to offer my sincere thanks to the Royal Belgian Hockey Association for agreeing to host this fantastic event, which I am sure, will be a big success for everyone involved, including the 24 teams from all over the world that will compete. It promises to be a truly wonderful occasion for all fans of our sport.”

The Royal Belgian Hockey Association expressed its delight about the decision, stating its readiness to step up to the next level following their successful organisation of the EuroHockey Indoor Championships 2018 competition in Antwerp.

“I’m very happy that we have been given the chance to organise the prestigious FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup, and I’m sure we will be able to stage an event of the highest quality,” said RBHA President Marc Coudron, expressing both his gratitude and excitement about organising a World Cup for the first time in his national association’s history.

“I think it is crucial for us to continue to develop hockey everywhere in Belgium. This great partnership with the Province of Liège will definitely help us in achieving that aim.”

Teams to compete in the event are: Men: Belgium (hosts), Germany, Austria, Netherlands, Russia, Czech Republic, New Zealand, Australia, Iran, Kazakhstan, champions of Africa and Pan America (to be decided).

Women: Belgium (hosts), Belarus, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Germany, Ukraine, Austria, New Zealand, Australia, Kazakhstan, champions of Africa and Pan America (to be decided).