Islamabad: Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) President Qasim Zia has dismissed hopes of Pakistan hosting the Champions Trophy in December, leading to speculations that the event might be held in India.
Zia said that Pakistan wants to send out a positive signal to the world that it is ready to host international matches, but added that the federation wanted to take things slow and has planned a series against China in December.
CT may still happen in India, he said, adding: “I have a feeling that the International Hockey Federation (FIH) will sort the matter out with the Indian officials and the Champions Trophy will happen in New Delhi. The FIH doesn’t have the time to rearrange things but the situation will be clear by the end of the month,” a leading daily reports.
“We would’ve requested the event to be shifted to Pakistan but logistics – including the availability of just one synthetic stadium in Lahore – is the biggest problem,” he added.
Meanwhile, FIH competition manager Martyn Gallivan has said that they are still looking for a suitable venue for the Champions Trophy, which will be announced in the next two weeks.
ANI
First Published: Tuesday, August 09, 2011, 17:32