Summary Pakistan didn't qualify for cup but PHF meeting with Malaysian officials made it possible
LAHORE (Dunya News) – Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) officials announced on Wednesday that Pakistan national hockey team will be representing Pakistan in Azlan Shah Cup. Pakistan could not qualify for the cup but a meeting between PHF officials and Asian Hockey officials made it possible for Pakistan, reported Dunya News.
According to details, Pakistan hockey team could not play the last season of the Asian tournament due to continuous bad performance. This time as well Pakistan hockey team was not able to qualify for the cup being held in Malaysia but then PHF officials requested the Malaysian officials to allow Pakistan play in the tournament to which Malaysian officials agreed and increased the number of teams, making it eight.
Azlan Shah Hockey Cup is scheduled in Malaysia from 7 to 17 April, 2016. In the event Australia has won 8 times, India 5 while Pakistan has won only 3 times.
Also read: India refuses to play hockey with Pakistan
Indian sports authorities on Monday have demanded an official apology from Pakistan in order to resume hockey tournaments after controversial Pakistani win in the past.
India, besides aggression on the Line of Control (LoC) and the Working Boundary has turned sports grounds into battlefields.
Earlier, The International Hockey Federation (IHF) had banned two Pakistani players for one match for indecent gestures as they celebrated their victory over India in semi-final of Hockey Champions Trophy. However, the federation did not take any action on the Pakistani team overall.
The banned players were Amjad Ali and Muhammad Tauseeq. The IHF refuted Indian objection and refuse to take any action in the matter after watching the match’s video. The Pakistani head coach had apologized to the losing side on behalf of Pakistani squad and vowed to maintain decorum.
