FIH says it might shift venue if political situation worsens

Lahore, July 24 (UNI) In yet another blow to Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) after world champions Australia withdrew from December's Champions Trophy, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) cautioned it might be forced to shift the tournament to another country if political situation in pakistan changes dramatically.

''For the moment, the FIH will organise the Champions Trophy in Lahore in December. This can of course change when the political situation changes dramatically,'' FIH communications manager Arjen Meijer told Dawn from its headquarters in Lausanne.

Even as Australia's absence will take some gloss off the tournament, it will even be an even bigger blow to Pakistan and its hockey federation if the event is shifted to another country because of security concerns.

The PHF is already struggling to cajole the foreign teams to play in Pakistan but death of over 200 people, including several foreigners, in July alone in a series of bomb blasts following a military operation at Lal Masjid, causing concern for the visiting teams.

The FIH spokesman said a number of meetings of hockey's international ruling body were scheduled next month in which security and political scenario in Pakistan may come up for discussions though it was not on the original agenda.

The FIH meeting in Beijing between August 7 and 11 to be attended by president Els van Breda and other officials will be significant as future events including Lahore's Champions Trophy will be discussed.

''The events to be discussed will be the Beijing Olympic Games, 2010 World Cup, qualification tournaments for Olympics and the Champions Trophy 2008, 2009 and 2010.

''The Champions Trophy in Lahore is one of the tournaments to be discussed but until then, no decision regarding that event could be taken,'' explained the FIH official.

''We have asked other countries involved to check the situation with their government. We are also monitoring on a daily basis the advice of the governments of the countries involved,'' the spokesman added.

The official also confirmed that Australia had refused to visit Pakistan on the advice of their government because of security fears and FIH would not object to the withdrawl as it was done on their government's advise.

Olympic champions Australia, Spain, Germany, South Korea, the Netherlands apart from hosts Pakistan who instituted the trophy in 1978 have been qualified to participate in the elite six-nation tournament.

The capital of Punjab, Lahore the birthplace of the prestigious Champions Trophy is scheduled to host the event from December 1 to 9.

The FIH official was not very forthcoming about which country could replace Australia or about the fate of other teams.

''At this moment, I cannot confirm which team or teams will replace the teams that will not participate in the Lahore Champions Trophy. It will be decided later,'' the official said.

The FIH had also shifted the 2001 Champions Trophy from Lahore to Rotterdam, the Netherlands, following terror attacks in New York and Washington and an imminent US strike against neighbouring Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, trials to select team for four-nation tournament in Beijing will be held in Islamabad on July 28.

Olympic champions, Australia, Pakistan, Malaysia and hosts China will take part in the event which will be held from August 8 to 13.

UNI