India has declined to send hockey team to feature in a three-nation hockey tournament forcing the Pakistan Hockey Federation to call off the event which was scheduled to be played here from April 9-13. Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has postponed the series, after Indian and Malaysian hockey teams refused to send their teams due to security reasons.
Secretary Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Asif Bajwa told reporters on Wednesday that the decision of Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) not to send its hockey team is not only painful for the people of Pakistan but for the lovers of the game around the world.
"We had completed all the arrangements and were expecting final nod of the Indian Hockey Federation regarding the travel plan of their side to reach Pakistan but to our surprise IHF informed that their government had not granted permission to their team to visit Pakistan on the pretext of security," said the PHF official. To a query, he said that Pakistan had assured foolproof security to Malaysian and Indian hockey teams but management of both the teams had declined to send their team. He added that attitude of IHF is painful.
Bajwa, however, said efforts are underway to restore international hockey in the country. He added that Pakistan hockey team will tour Europe in June. He added that tour of Chinese hockey team proved that Pakistan is a secured country. To another question, Bajwa said that Pakistani hockey players who played controversial Indian Hockey League are being served with show cause notices and action would be taken against them as per law.
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