In wake of security concerns, the Olympic champions Australia have opted out of the elite six-member team of the 29th Men’s Champions Trophy Hockey Tournament scheduled December 1 to 9, to be venued at the National Hockey Stadium, Lahore in Pakistan. Earlier, the 2004 tournament in Lahore and the 2001 event was also been shifted to Rotterdam as Australia denied playing, citing same grounds.
The security situation in Pakistan is on a pandemonium for the past few days with suicide bombings and other attacks by Islamic militants, following an army raid on the pro-Taliban Red Mosque in Islamabad.
Hockey Australia chief executive Linden Adamson made it clear that the board had made the decision based on foreign ministries’ advice against travelling to Pakistan and said:
It’s going to have an impact on our Beijing preparations. It’s a pretty serious decision to take if we think it’s going to affect our Olympic preparations, but we can’t risk the safety of the players and staff. It was a board decision ... the players and coaching staff have been made aware of it and at this stage I haven’t heard any adverse reaction to it.
Pakistan on the other hand has retaliated by making a protest with the governing body, FIH.
Khalid Mehmood, secretary of the Pakistan Hockey Federation said:
‘We are disappointed with the Australians’ decision to pull out from the tournament. We have made our protest. There is nothing more we can do at the FIH level.’
The PHF had earlier indicated Britain as a possible replacement following Australia’s denial. Ironically, Pakistan hopes received another setback, as Britain the substitute team is also reluctant to tour the country.
Media reports have speculated that Spain, listed in the six member team might also pull out but any official verdict has not been publicized.
For now, the tournament venue being shifted from Lahore to some other place is very much on the cards.
Via: Stuff
