IHF defers decision on Pak hosting Champions trophy

New Delhi, Aug 11 (UNI) The wait on Pakistan's hosting of the Champions Trophy later this year and on a possible shift of venue to India continued as FIH deferred any decision on the ill-fated tournament till early next month.

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) discussed the issue in Beijing at its Executive Board meeting which concluded today but decided not to take any hasty decision.

After Olympic champions Australia pulled out of the six-nation elite tournament citing security concerns in the aftermath of Lal Masjid bloodbath and England refusing to replace the Kookaburras, India had offered to host the event in case FIH decides to shift the venue from Lahore.

An FIH statement issued after the meeting, however, said it will consult Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) and the participating teams before any decision is taken on the question of whether to shift the tournament from Pakistan or not.

''FIH will consult with the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) and the participating teams before any decision is taken not to hold the tournament in Pakistan,'' the world body said.

FIH will also not decide on a replacement of Australia before next month.

''Australia has already withdrawn from the tournament. A decision on a replacement for Australia will be made after consulting the reserve countries,'' FIH said.

New Zealand, who finished eighth in 2006 World Cup, are tipped to replace Australia in the December 1-9 six-nation elite tournament after England declined to replace the Kookaburras.

England finished fifth in the last World Cup in Germany.

FIH was to decide on New Zealand's right to play in the tournament in the meeting but apparently that also has been kept in abeyance.

The Champions was plunged into uncertainty after Olympic Champions Australia pulled out of the event citing security concerns in the aftermath of the Lal Masjid bloodbath.

England, which finished seventh in the last World Cup, also declined to take part as Australia's replacement.

PHF had lashed out at Australia for the withdrawal and of ''unsportsmanlike behaviour'' for indirectly persuading other participating nations to pull out of the tournament in the light of reports of other European countries Spain and Holland to follow suit.

The Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) had also chipped to offer to host the tournament in case FIH decides to shift the venue from Lahore.

India has not qualified for the Champions Trophy for this and next editions but in case the IHF gets the nod from the FIH to host the elite tourament, it will automatically get a berth to play along with the top six teams of the world.

That will be a huge advantage for India in their prepration for the Olympic Qualifier slated for early next year.

Meanwhile, the FIH has appointed Hans-Jochen Erb as its Events Director.

The 40-year-old German will start his duties in November. Erb worked during the last ten years in the International Sports Marketing department of Audi in Ingolstadt, Germany.

UNI