Pakistan government to decide hockey team's participation in World Cup

By Omar Khalid, Karachi, Nov 24 : Pakistan's hockey body will seek the government's permission before sending the national team to India for next year's hockey World Cup.

Qasim Zia, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) president, said it will be the government that will decide whether the team can be sent to India to feature in the quadrennial spectacle that starts Feb 24.

"We will only participate in the World Cup if the government gives permission," said Zia, an Olympian, who is now an influential politician with the ruling Pakistan People's Party (PPP).

Zia hoped that the concerned authorities will clear the Pakistan hockey team's visit to India.

Sporting relations between Pakistan and India suffered a setback following the terrorist attacks in Mumbai last November that left Indo-Pak relations seriously strained.

Pakistan made the cut for the 12-nation World Cup by winning the World Cup Qualifiers in Lille, France, earlier this month.

Apart from the World Cup, the PHF will also be seeking the government's permission to play a Test series against India on a neutral venue like Dubai ahead of the World Cup.

Zia said that the PHF wants its team to play against top teams from Europe as well in order to prepare it for the World Cup.

--IANS