India offers to host Champions trophy if moved out of Pak

Chennai, Jul 26 (UNI) India is prepared to host the prestigious Champions Trophy Hockey tournament in December in the event of Pakistan not able to conduct it due to security concerns.

Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) Secretary-general K Jyothikumaran told UNI here today that IHF President K P S Gill has asked him to take up the issue with the International Hockey Federation (FIH).

Accordingly, Mr Jyothikumaran wrote to FIH expressing IHF's desire to hold the event in India in the event of Pakistan not able to host it.

''In the event of Pakistan not being able to hold it, we have requested the FIH to consider our request'', he added.

The December 1-9 event to be held at Lahore in Pakistan had already run into rough weather with Olympic champions Australia pulling out citing security reasons due to the death of over 200 people in a series of bomb blasts following a military operation at Lal Masjid.

Talking to UNI over phone from New Delhi, Mr Gill said IHF has sent a message to FIH in this regard. ''We will be too happy to host the event''.

''If we get it, most propably we will hold it in Gurgaon because we will be having Asia Cup men's in Chennai and the PHL in Chandigarh. We have flood light facilities in Gurgaon also''.

Asked whether Australia would reconsider its decision if the event was moved out of Pakistan and allotted to India, Mr Gill said the Aussies should not have any problem playing here (in India).

''If the event was shifted, obviously all the countries will have a chance to reconsider their decision and Australia should have no problem playing in India'', he added.

It may be recalled that the FIH had issued a warning to the organisers after Australia's pull-out that if the political situation in Pakistan does not improve, it might think of conducting the tournament in another country.

UNI