NZ to replace Australia in Champions Trophy

Lahore, Aug 7 (UNI) New Zealand will most likely be the team to replace Australia in the six-nation Champions Trophy (men's) World Hockey Tournament to be played in Pakistan this December.

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) is set to grant New Zealand the right to play in the Champions Trophy at its Executive Board meeting in Beijing tomorrow, according to reports in 'The News'.

The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) is scheduled to hold the tournament at Lahore from December 1-9. Olympic Champions Australia pulled out of the event citing security concerns in the aftermath of the Lal Masjid bloodbath.

The other four foreign teams -- Germany, Holland, Spain and South Korea have till now stood by their decision to participate.

The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has lashed out at Hockey Australia, accusing them of 'unsportsmanlike behaviour' for indirectly persuading other participating nations to pull out of the December-slated Champions Trophy in Pakistan.

''Hockey Australia's decision was not only harmful to the world hockey, but their indirect move to persuade the other countries to stay away from coming to Pakistan was an unsportsmanlike and irresponsible act,'' a PHF spokesman had told media.

He further informed that the PHF has assured 'full-proof' security to all the participating teams and apart from Australia, no other country has shown any intention of withdrawing from the tournament.

''The PHF has given every kind of assurances to all the participating teams about their security, therefore, till now no other team has given any intimation of withdrawing from the Champions Trophy,'' he said.

''World champions Germany have confirmed their participation while Spain, Holland, Korea haven't shown their intentions of not coming to Pakistan. Even New Zealand are keen to play in the competition if England, replacement to Australia, declines the invitation,'' he added. However, it is still not clear whether England has declined the invitation of PHF.

The FIH had given all the participating nations August 3 as the deadline to accept Pakistan's invitation.

UNI