Australia gives all clear to team’s visit

The threat by the Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami, the Al-Qaeda’s Pakistan arm, is not serious enough to change the security scenario for the event. That’s the assessment Hockey Australia received from its government on Thursday, thus clearing the way for Kookaburras’ participation in the tournament, starting in New Delhi on February 28.

“Hockey Australia has received assessment from the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade in relation to threats made towards the 2010 Hockey World Cup.
“They have advised that there has been no change to the threat environment in India,” Hockey Australia said in a release on Thursday.

“In line with Hockey Australia’s process of assessing emerging threats and changing conditions, should the current situation change, we would obviously reassess our position,” said Hockey Australia chief executive, Mark Anderson, in the release.

Meanwhile, Australia thrashed New Zealand 7-1 in the first game of the two-match series in Perth.
Skipper Jamie Dwyer, Luke Doerner and Glenn Turner underlined their form with a brace each while Liam De Young contributed one goal. Andrew Hayward got the lone consolation for the Black Sticks.
The two teams meet again on Friday before the Kookaburras leave for Delhi on Sunday.