Pakistan to boycott all India-hosted events

PHF secretary wants to convince FIH to not let India host any major tournament in the future

LAHORE: Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) secretary Shehbaz Ahmed said that after an unfair snub in the upcoming Junior Hockey World Cup, the federation will not send the team to participate in any event in India.

While talking to the media, after giving a briefing to the standing committee, the 1994 World Cup winner said that they will also complain to the International Hockey Federation (FIH) about the way Indian government treated the matter of the issuance of visa of the players. “We will certainly not be participating in any tournament there [in India],” he said. “The way the Indian government handled the matter of issuing visa for our players, it’s definitely damaging for the game of hockey.

“We also hope that hockey authorities all over the world will be taking notice of Indian government’s attitude, and we will also try to convince FIH of not letting India host any major hockey event in the future.”

Shehbaz also went on to show his anger on the way Indian authorities issued visa to the Malaysian team in three days to participate in the mega. “It’s extremely disappointing that they[Indian government] issued  visa to Malaysia within three days to make sure we won’t be able to participate in the World Cup.”