Hockey India is surprised to note that Pakistan Hockey Federation has announced that India has withdrawn from the Tri- Nation Tournament scheduled to be held at Lahore from 9- 13 April 2012.
Hockey India had originally received an invitation to participate in a Four Nation Tournament at Lahore which included teams from South Africa, Malaysia, India and Pakistan.
India’s participation in this tournament was approved by the Steering Committee of the Sports Ministry last month and accordingly Hockey India conducted the Selection Trials at Bangalore on 16 & 17 March 2012 where the Pakistan bound team with the captain and vice-captain was announced. The flight tickets to Lahore were also booked immediately thereafter.
In the meanwhile the Four Nation tournament became a Tri- Nation affair with South Africa dropping out.
In view of pending mandatory Ministry of External Affairs and Home Ministry clearances, telephonic conversations took place between Secretary General Hockey India Mr. Narinder Batra and President Pakistan Hockey Federation Mr. Qasim Zia on 2 April 2012 where it was decided that if no clearances came before the departure of team to Lahore, then fresh dates from 14- 21 April 2012 would be considered for this tournament.
The Ministry of External Affairs has sent a communication dated 3 April 2012 conveying that in view of the security situation prevailing in Pakistan, the visit of the Indian Hockey team would not be advisable unless backed by credible high level assurances of security from the Pakistan side.
Hockey India is therefore astonished at the unilateral statement issued by PHF Secretary General Asif Bajwa stating that India has withdrawn from this tournament, which is in fact incorrect.
Source: Hockey India Media Release