Pakistan out of Indoor Hockey WC qualifiers

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan again have not been included in the qualifying round of the sixth edition of the FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup that will be organised by the Royal Belgian Hockey Association, in the province of Liège, Belgium from February 3 to 7, 2021.

Asif Bajwa, secretary Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), has confirmed to The News that Pakistan never participated in the qualifying round as facilities for indoor hockey does not exist here in Pakistan as such they have not been invited to feature in the qualifiers of the above event. “We never participated in the qualifying round of indoor hockey that has separate rules and need separate playing field. The PHF hopes to establish facilities and I feel efforts should have been made earlier in this regard,” he said.

The showpiece event – awarded to Belgium’s National Association by the FIH Executive Board – will see 12 teams competing in both the men’s and women’s competitions, all aiming to follow in footsteps of Austria men and Germany women, who were crowned 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 (RBHA) expressed their delight about the decision, stating their readiness to step up to the next level following their successful organisation of 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.

Teams to compete in the event are: Men’s teams: Belgium (host), Germany (champion of Europe), Austria (Europe quota), Netherlands (Europe quota), Russia (Europe quota), Czech Republic (Europe quota), New Zealand (Oceania quota – champion TBC), Australia (Oceania quota - champion TBC), Iran (champion of Asia), Kazakhstan (Asia quota), champion of Africa and champion of Pan America will be decided later.

Women’s teams: Belgium (host), Belarus (champion of Europe), Netherlands (Europe quota), Czech Republic (Europe quota), Germany (Europe quota), Ukraine (Europe quota), Austria (Europe quota), New Zealand (Oceania quota – champion) Australia (Oceania quota – champion), Kazakhstan (champion of Asia), champion of Africa and champion of Pan America.