The Telegraph

OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

New Delhi: The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has decided to advance the dates of the World Cup by a week to avoid a clash with the Indian Premier League (IPL).

In a press release on Friday, the FIH said the World Cup in Delhi will now be held from February 28 to March 13, 2010.

Earlier, the championship was scheduled from March 7 to 20.

The IPL is scheduled from March 12 to April 25.

Hockey India president Ashok Matto said: “Yes, the dates have been changed to avoid clash with IPL.”

A total of 12 teams, including hosts India, will participate in the World Cup to be played in the National Stadium in Delhi.