The International Hockey Federation (FIH) on Tuesday withdrew hosting rights of the Olympic qualifiers from Pakistan, citing governance issues of the country’s national federation.
Pakistan was scheduled to host the Olympic hockey qualifiers in January.
Pakistan has not hosted international hockey in over two decades and the FIH decision means that the long wait will continue.
The FIH confirmed the surprise decision to Sportstar, stating: “The FIH can confirm that it has informed the Pakistan Hockey Federation of its decision to withdraw the hosting of the Men’s FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifier tournament — scheduled in January 2024 — from Pakistan. This is primarily due to the recent developments in the governance situation of the Federation,” the statement read, adding that “a new host for this tournament will be announced shortly.”
Pakistan last hosted an FIH event in 2004, Sportstar reports.
With the event withdrawn, however, Pakistan, currently ranked 15th in the world, will have to win the Asian Games or wait for confirmation of a spot in the qualifiers elsewhere. Pakistan failed to qualify for the last two editions.
