Hopeful to receive NOC from government for Junior World Cup: PHF secretary

16-team event will start from December 8 in Lucknow, India

LAHORE: With only five weeks left in the Junior World Cup, Pakistan hockey team has still not received a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the government.

Fédération Internationale de Hockey (FIH) men’s mega event is schedule to be held in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh from December 8, 2016 but keeping in sight the current political tensions between both countries, approval from Pakistan government is mandatory to participate in the event.

Three weeks ago, Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) wrote a letter to Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) Ministry and Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) for permission to participate in the competition.

“We are still waiting for NOC from government,” PHF secretary Shahbaz Ahmed Senior told Express News on phone.

“As far as I know, the matter is in process and it may take two more weeks. We are in touch with the IPC ministry and PSB. We will abide by whatever instructions the government gives us and are very much hopeful to receive an NOC,” he added.

The event is set to feature junior team from 16 countries: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Egypt, England, Germany, India, Japan, Korea, Netherlands, South Africa, New Zealand, Pakistan and Spain.

Pakistan is placed alongside Netherlands, Belgium and Egypt in Pool B. Meanwhile, the team is currently in Johar Baru, Malaysia for world cup preparations.