BHUBANESWAR: The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has declared it will do everything within its ambit to ensure the participation of Pakistan in next year’s World Cup, to be played here.
At a press conference here, FIH CEO Jason McCraken, however, hedged his bets on the matter while stating. “We have to make sure they get their visas on time and they have to do all the correct things by their government and by the Indian government. Pakistan has been invited and we look forward to seeing them.”
Last year, Pakistan had missed the Junior World Cup in Lucknow despite qualifying for the event and the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) had blamed India for not giving them visas on time.
PHF secretary Shahbaz Ahmed said the federation would keep FIH in the loop so that the team doesn’t face any issues.
“Whichever country you go to for a tournament, you have to fulfil the formalities. India is no exception. Whatever the requirement, we will follow for the next year’s World Cup,” The Tribune quoted Ahmed as having said.
“It’s a sport and you can’t have the same yardstick as you have for civilians. For the 2016 South Asian Games (held in Guwahati in February) we got the visas in 12 days. Everything is known about sportsmen,” the former international player added.
“We will be in correspondence with the concerned officials. We will also keep FIH in the loop so that we don’t face any issues this time. Our absence at the Junior World Cup last year cost the juniors exposure.”
