IHF denies exerting pressure, bids as per FIH advice

Chennai, Sep 7 (UNI) The Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) today hit back at its Pakistan counterpart on the December-slated Champions Trophy and said it was not exerting any pressure to shift the mega event out of Lahore.

Reacting sharply to the PHF Media Manager Altaf Sabir's remarks about IHF indulging in misleading campaign, IHF Secretary-General K Jyothikumaran told UNI here today that ''As per the International Hockey Federation (FIH) advice, we are preparing the document to bid for the event''.

''The FIH has asked the IHF to send the bid documents. As per their advice we are prepating it, expressing our willingness to host the prestigious tournament in the event of it being shifted out of Pakistan''.

''It's for the FIH to take a final decision...We are not exerting any pressure to move the tournament out of Pakistan,'' Mr Jyothikumaran said.

''Not only India, the FIH had also asked Malaysian Hockey Federation to send their bids,'' he pointed out.

Uncertainity has gripped the prestigious six-nation Champions Trophy which is scheduled to be held at Lahore from December 1 to 9, as Australia and South Korea have pulled out their names citing security reasons.

UNI