PHF to write IFH for allocating Champions Trophy
Bureau Report

LAHORE—Pakistan Hockey Federation will soon be writing to Games Ruling Body, the international hockey federation (FIH), for allocating them the champions trophy to be held in 2010 as a compensation for the last year’s shifted event.
“We have decided to write to FIH for awarding us the prestigious event which was to be held last December but was shifted to Malaysia on security concerns raised by participating teams and we are confident that FIH will compensate us by awarding it “,said former olympian and secretary, PHF, Khalid Mahmood while talking to APP here on Monday.
He said Pakistan suffered by the shifting of the Champions Trophy in terms of financial loss and in general in the development of the game.
“Now things are moving in right direction and foreign teams have expressed willingness to visit Pakistan in many sports and FIH should look into this important aspect for awarding Champions trophy to Pakistan as a compensation for the previously shifted competition “,he added.
Khalid said Pakistan is planning to hold international tournaments for both senior and junior teams as in recent years such activities were not held owing to various reasons.
“FIH as the parent body should give consideration to the fact that Pakistan was badly deprived of hosting international meets which is damage to hockey and the joint efforts of FIH and PHF for the further uplift of the game not only in Pakistan but also in the region “,he said.
PHF official said the congress to be held in Karachi on April 10 will discuss holding of international hockey events in Pakistan as President, PHF ,Mir Zafraullah Khan Jamali is very concerned over the situation that Champions Trophy was shifted from Pakistan and he is endeavouring to get back this event to Pakistan.
“We are planning four or five nation tournament in Pakistan for senior and junior teams in this year and we are optimistic to materialise this planning “,he said adding “ There is some good response from some countries who are willing to send their teams to Pakistan as things are getting better for staging such events “,he said.
He dispelled an impression that Pakistan was not safe for holding mega hockey countries. “ Tell me which country of the world is today safe heaven for sports events there is unrest in most of the countries but sports events are taking place and some of the premier events including Atlanta Olympics were marred by incidents of bomb blasts”,he said.