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FIH confirms India as hockey World Cup host

Source: PTI
June 21, 2009 20:38 IST
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Days after granting official recognition to Hockey India, the International Hockey Federation on Sunday confirmed India as host country of the 2010 men's hockey World Cup in March 2010.

FIH said India has sorted out its "internal problems" and so there is no uncertainty over the prestigious event being held in New Delhi.

"There will be no changes. New Delhi will host the World Cup as scheduled and everything is in place for them to do so. They have sorted out their own internal problems, including the merger of their women's and men's federations," FIH president Leandro Negre said in Johur Bahru, Malaysia.

"They have also found a title sponsor for the tournament and I am happy for them. India, hosting the Hockey World Cup would benefit the country," said Negre, on the sidelines of the Junior World Cup.

India were warned in April that it could lose the World Cup if the men's and women's hockey bodies did not form a single entity, as stipulated by FIH rules.

A six-month period was given by FIH but before the time was up, Hockey India was formed earlier this month as an umbrella organisation for the game in the country and FIH gave its official seal of approval to it.

Negre thanked Malaysia for agreeing to be on standby to host the prestigious event in case India did not comply to FIH's ruling.

"We are thankful to Malaysia for agreeing to be the host if India cannot make it. But now there is no need for that. I am in touch with the Indian HA and on the question of security for the tournament they have given us the guarantee that they will do everything within their means.

"Their security plan for the World Cup will be based on the similar measures which will be taken for the Commonwealth Games they are hosting in November next year and I believe that will be adequate.

"In any case the Indian HA will hold a warm-up tournament three or four months before the start of the World Cup and I am told that the teams they want to invite will show up," added the Spaniard.

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