IHF offers to host Champions trophy with eye on Olympic qualificatio

New Delhi, July 27 (UNI) Desparate to get some tough exposure before the Olympic Qualifier, the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) has offered to host the Champions Trophy in case it is not to be held in Lahore.

The IHF, delighted that Pakistan has agreed to play in the Asia Cup to be held in Chennai in September, is however hopeful that its counterpart across the border will not ''read meaning'' in its bid to host the Champions Trophy.

Pakistan had earlier refused to participate in the Asia Cup saying ''every country has a right to choose he tournament it wants to play or skip''.

According to sources, the IHF is of the view that there was no harm in its making the bid, if International body (FIH) decides to shift the venue.

''It is better to have the tournament in the sub-continent rather then relocate it some where in Euorpe,'' they said.

India has not qualified for the Champions Trophy for this and next edition 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 and that will be a huge advantage for the hosts in their prepration for the Olympic Qualifier slated for early next year.

India has to go through the qualifying process for the Beijing Olympics as it had failed get automatic entry after finishing fifth in the Asian Games in Doha.

The IHF has not yet received any reply from the FIH regarding this issue.

UNI