Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has disallowed Pakistan to participate in men’s Junior Hockey World Cup to be held in India from December 8 to 18, over the Pakistan Hockey Federation’s (PHF) inability to meet the deadlines.

The FIH on Tuesday invited the Malaysian junior men’s team to take part in the event, replacing Pakistan, even though the greenshirts had officially qualified. The international body termed it PHF’s fault as it failed to submit visa applications for Pakistan delegation before the official deadline and its inability to confirm the delegation’s accommodation venue before the deadline.

A spokesman for the PHF has termed the move ‘pre-planned’ and said yesterday: “Pakistan did not delay any schedule obligation and it is all India’s fault to not issue visa to Pakistan’s delegation before deadline.

Our government had timely issued No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for players to take part in the tournament, but it is sad that Pakistan will not be able to take part in Junior Hockey World Cup,” he added. “We had planned training camps for our players so how can we delay any schedule to jeopardise our participation,” he maintained.

“We had already seen it coming that this decision by the FIH would be against Pakistan.” The Pakistan government on November 19 had issued NOCs to the junior team for taking part in the Junior World Cup in India.

The PHF on November 16 had expressed reservations about India calling the shots in the world hockey and taking undue control to sideline Pakistan.