Pak team will take part in hockey World Cup: PHF

NEW DELHI: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has dispelled fears of a pullout from the World Cup, beginning February 28 in the Capital, as a reaction to the IPL snub to Pakistani cricketers at its auction on Tuesday.

“We are playing in the World Cup. There won’t be any repercussion as far as hockey goes. IPL and World Cup are different entities. We will be coming as the national team and not as individual players like in the IPL,” a PHF spokesman told TOI from Lahore on Wednesday.

Pakistan will take on hosts India in the World Cup opener on February 28. “PHF is committed to the participation in World Cup which is a big international event unlike cricket’s IPL,” he said, adding, “Our government is closely following the developments after the IPL auction. But it certainly won’t jeopardise the hockey team’s visit to India.”

PHF has also announced the final training camp for the World Cup which will begin in Lahore from January 25. “We have been playing good hockey and I’m confident that the team will do well in Delhi,” the official said.