By IANS
New Delhi : The International Hockey Federation (FIH) Saturday deferred till September a decision on shifting December’s Champions Trophy from Pakistan following recent violence there which led to Australia’s withdrawal.
Nor was any decision taken on a replacement for Olympic champions Australia, who pulled out of the six-nation tournament in Lahore Dec 1-9, after violence in capital Islamabad and elsewhere in Pakistan.
“At meetings held in Beijing during the Olympic hockey test event, the FIH considered the possible effect the recent unrest in Pakistan may have on the tournament,” FIH said in a statement received here.
“The FIH will consult the Pakistan Hockey Federation and the participating teams before any decision is taken not to hold the tournament in Pakistan.”
India, which is not taking part in the Champions Trophy, has bid to host the tournament in case it is shifted from Pakistan.
FIH also said that a decision on a replacement for Australia would be made after consulting the reserve countries.
“No further decisions are expected before early September,” FIH said.
It is the third time Australia has pulled out of the Champions Trophy in Pakistan due to security reasons. The earlier occasions were in 2001 and 2004. The 2001 tournament was later shifted to Rotterdam.