By IANS
Lausanne (Switzerland) : The Champions Trophy in Hockey was Wednesday shifted out of Pakistan due to recent violence, but the International Hockey Federation (FIH) did not announce a new venue.
The tournament was to be held in Lahore Dec 1-9, but “due to circumstances not related to hockey or sport” it was shifted after some participating teams either said that they would not play in Pakistan or have not confirmed participation so far.
“The decision was based on the concern about the safety and security of the participating teams and the negative travel advice received from the foreign affairs departments of many of the prospective participants,” FIH said here.
India’s southern city Chennai is in race as an alternate venue.
“It was an extremely hard decision and one that we took with many regrets for the Pakistan Hockey Community,” FIH president Els van Breda Vriesman said in a statement.
“During the last few months we tried everything we could to keep the Samsung Champions Trophy in Pakistan. This was unfortunately impossible due to circumstances not related to hockey or sport and completely beyond the control of the FIH and the Pakistan Hockey Federation.”
FIH said that a new venue has not been decided as yet.
“A decision will be taken in the next few days. In principle, the FIH will aim to keep the same dates for the tournament,” it said.
FIH was forced to take the tough decision after two of the qualified teams – Australia and Spain – informed it that they would not be able to participate while Germany, South Korea and the Netherlands were unable to confirm their entry.
“Furthermore, the FIH Athletes Commission was advised by a number of athletes that they would not play in the tournament,” the world body disclosed.
“Reserve countries England and Japan also declined the invitation. With six of the best eight hockey teams not participating in the Champions Trophy, one of the most important hockey tournaments in the world, the FIH had no option but to move the event.”