Kiwi striker pulls out citing security as teams trickle in

New Zealand striker Simon Child has pulled out of the Hockey World Cup citing security concerns even though the rest of the squad departed for India for the two-week tournament which starts on February 28.

Child said he took the decision because he felt he could not give his best under a heightened security environment. “It’s not an ideal environment to be trying to play your best hockey,” he was quoted as saying by the New Zealand Press Association. “I think that was the major issue that swayed me when I made up my mind. It was extremely tough, probably the toughest decision I’ve had to make in my life,” he said.

The Australian, South African and Pakistan contingents arrived on Monday, while The Netherlands and South Korea were scheduled to land early on Tuesday morning.

Security has been a major talking point with India set to host a number of high-profile events in the coming months, and English cricketers were recently advised not to travel to India.

However, Hockey New Zealand said they had received positive feedback on security. “The detail we have received has reassured us that the required level of security will be in place,” HNZ chief executive Hilary Poole said, adding that they had further been reassured by the New Zealand shooting team which is presently participating at the ongoing Commonwealth Championships in Delhi.