NEW DELHI: Putting to rest all speculation about their participation in the Hockey World Cup 2018, which is scheduled to be played in Bhubaneshwar in November-December this year, the Pakistan hockey team has announced that they will be coming to India for the tournament.
“Pakistan will be invited because it’s an FIH-sanctioned event. We have taken the necessary permissions from the external affairs ministry. There are certain rules and procedures in which participating nations have to apply for visas 60 days prior to the start of the tournament. There are other procedures which Pakistan will have to follow,” Times of India quoted International Hockey Federation (FIH) president Narinder Batra as saying.
The FIH told AFP that no participating nation has indicated problems that could lead to a withdrawal, or India refusing to let any nation attend.
“We are looking forward to welcoming all 16 qualified teams. We have not received concerns from any of the participating teams nor the host about this matter,” an FIH official told AFP in an email statement.
“FIH strongly believes that hockey is an inclusive sport, aimed at celebrating diversity and promoting friendship and respect.”
Pakistan will be playing in the World Cup after a gap of eight years as they had failed to qualify for the 2014 ediiton held in Netherlands. Incidentally, in 2010 too, when they played last, India were the hosts.
Pakistan finished seventh at the Hockey World League semi-finals in London, and along with getting the benefit of the EuroHockey Championships qualified for the World Cup.
Pakistan’s kabaddi, squash and wrestling teams did not travel to India for marquee tournaments last year due to the hostile political relations between the two countries.
