No rift with Pak on Champions venue: Gill

Chennai, Sep 9 (UNI) Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) president K P S Gill today denied any ''rift or soured relations'' with Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), following IHF's bid to host the Champions Trophy if it is shifted out of Karachi due to law and order situation there.

Talking to newspersons on the sidelines of the ongoing Asia Cup tourney here, he said as of now there was no idea of shifting the venue.

''The IHF will decide by the middle of this month,'' Mr Gill said when asked about India's chances of hosting the prestigious event for a third time after 1996 and 2005, both at Chennai.

''No, there is no strain in relations on this count'', he said, adding, ''there were only reports to this effect in a section of the media''.

Denying that the IHF had decided to hold back Rs 2000 from the prize money meant to be given to Indian goal scorers of the ongoing Asia Cup, Mr Gill clarified that the cash award would be given to the entire team.

''It will be given for the best goals only, that too for the entire team as every goal is the result of effort by the entire team.'' UNI