Times Of India

KARACHI: The International Hockey Federation (FIH) may not give a wild card to India for participating in the Champions Trophy after objections from other member countries.

The Champions Trophy is an elite six-nation tournament and the FIH has been mulling over the idea of offering wild card entries to both Pakistan and India in a bid to bring back the two former giants into the fold, reports The News.

But New Zealand, Belgium, Argentina and Canada pointed out to the FIH that they are placed ahead of India (12th) in the world rankings and should also be given a chance to play in the Champions Trophy.

Pakistan, however, have no such problems as they are currently placed at world No.6 and can qualify for the Melbourne meet slated for Nov 28-Dec 6, if they hold on to it.

India – one of the world’s biggest markets in the world – is important for the FIH, which is eyeing to generate revenue.

The newspaper said that if the FIH fails to justify a direct inclusion in the Champions Trophy for India, then it is unlikely to award any wild card entry to Pakistan if it fall below the No.6 rankings.

In that case, the field of the Champions Trophy will be formed by the usual six teams. The cast for this year’s event includes hosts Australia, England, Germany, South Korea, the Netherlands and Spain.

However, sources said that the matter is still not closed and is likely to come up for discussion within the FIH next month.

Pakistan, meanwhile, is focusing on winning a berth for the 2010 Champions Trophy to be held in Monchengladbach (Germany) next summer.

The former title holders will have to win the Men’s Champions Challenge I 2009 to be played in Quilmes, Argentina, Dec 6-13.

Pakistan will be joined by hosts Argentina, South Africa, India, Belgium, New Zealand, China and Canada in the 10-nation tournament.