FIH accommodates Pak in 2011 Champions Trophy

With hosts India getting an automatic entry in the 2011 men’s Champions Trophy, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) has expanded the field from six to eight to accommodate Pakistan.

The Indian men’s and women’s teams will be figuring in two world-level tournaments in 2011, according a FIH release.

The elite tournament traditionally reserved for the top six ranked teams, is to be held in India at an as yet unspecified venue in November-December.

The field includes world champions Australia, Olympic champions Germany, England, the Netherlands, Spain and Korea besides India and Pakistan.

The Indian women’s team will be figuring in the Champions Challenge-I tournament, a qualifying event for the 2012 Champions Trophy. The tournament will be played in Dublin between June 18-26 with India up against Azerbaijan, Japan, Scotland, South Africa, Spain and the United States.