New Delhi: Following the serial bomb blasts in Pakistan, the hosts for the forthcoming Champions Trophy hockey tournament, has prompted the International Hockey Federation (FIH) to advise India and Malaysia to be on stand-by for the event.
The Champions Trophy tournament, considered to be second in stature to the men's Hockey World Cup, is slated to be held in Lahore from December 1-9. India and Malaysia were asked to be on stand-by amid fears that some nations may be skeptical of travelling to Pakistan after twin blasts rocked Rawalpindi on Tuesday.
"The FIH Committee has to first determine the security for players and if there is any concern over this issue then apply cancellation of Lahore as the venue before looking into the offers of both India and Malaysia as stand-by venues," FIH's consultant Bob Davidzon said in Chennai on Wednesday.
Other participating nations Spain, the Netherlands, Korea and Germany, though, haven't expressed any security fears yet, he added.
Davidzon was also asked whether the FIH will be following the progress of the Australian 'A' cricket team who are currently in Pakistan for a tour.
"Exactly. The FIH will be closely monitoring the Australian cricketers' tour of Pakistan before finally taking a decision on cancellation of the Champions Trophy in Lahore from December 1-9 this year," he said.
India on their part are preparing themselves for hosting the tournament if at all they are asked to do so. And Indian Hockey Federation President KPS Gill told PTI that India would sent in an offer letter to host the Champions Trophy if Lahore was cancelled as a venue.
"We have to send our bid project to the FIH. We are working on it and it will be sent before the weekend," Gill said.
(With inputs from PTI)
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