Hockey's governing body expects Pakistan to play 2018 World Cup in India

[Abdullah719]

Hockey's governing body indicated on Thursday that Pakistan will take part in the men's World Cup this year in India despite acute tensions between the two countries.

Pakistan have qualified for the World Cup to be held in the eastern Indian city of Bhubaneswar between November 18 and December 16.

But fears have been raised that Pakistan could skip the 16-team event as sporting ties between the neighbours are frozen.

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) told AFP however that no participating nation has indicated problems that could lead to a withdrawal, or India refusing to let any nation attend.

“We are looking forward to welcoming all 16 qualified teams. We have not received concerns from any of the participating teams nor the host about this matter,” an FIH official told AFP in an email statement. “FIH strongly believes that hockey is an inclusive sport, aimed at celebrating diversity and promoting friendship and respect.”

India's blind cricket team did not go to Pakistan in January for the 50-over World Cup, forcing their matches to be switched to United Arab Emirates.

India and Pakistan's senior cricket teams have not played a bilateral series since 2013 because of the tense political climate.

India accuses its neighbour of supporting militant activities, particularly in the disputed Kashmir region.

Pakistan's kabaddi, squash and wrestling teams also did not travel to India for marquee tournaments last year.

Pakistan, who did not qualify for the 2014 World Cup, are the most successful team in the sport's showpiece event with title wins in 1971, 1978, 1982 and 1994.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1389617/h...ects-pakistan-to-play-2018-world-cup-in-india

 

[PakLFC]

I didn't even know there was a Hockey world cup this year! Pak will take part as the tournament is organised by the governing body.

 

[UN talkz]

LAUSANNE, Switzerland – India will be hosting the Hockey World Cup 2018 and will welcome all 16 participating teams including Pakistan at the marquee event which is scheduled to happen in Odisha from November 28 to December 16, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) confirmed on Thursday.

Pakistan qualified for the World Cup after finishing seventh in the Hockey World League semi-finals in London.

Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha in eastern India, will be hosting the 2018 World Cup, announced FIH President Dr Narinder Batra.

“Pakistan will be invited because it’s an FIH-sanctioned event. We have taken the necessary permissions from the external affairs ministry. There are certain rules and procedures in which participating nations have to apply for visas 60 days prior to the start of the tournament. There are other procedures which Pakistan will have to follow,” Batra said.

Earlier there were rumours that Pakistan will not participate in the World Cup due to the rife political tension with the neighbours but the FIH has now made it clear that they haven’t received any such request from any nation about pulling out of the competition.

The damp relations between India and Pakistan have deeply affected the sport’s ties between the two nations in the past few years with the Indian teams pulling out all a host of competitions scheduled in Pakistan. The same has been repeated by the Pakistani teams who did not travel to India citing political tensions.

India’s blind cricket team did not travel to Pakistan, forcing the venue to be shifted to the United Arab Emirates. Following which Pakistan’s kabaddi, squash and wrestling teams refused to take part in top tournaments in India.

Indian national cricket team and the Pakistan national cricket team are yet to play a bilateral series since 2013.

https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/spo...-pakistan-will-be-welcomed-in-india-says-fih/