PHF ditches 4-nation tournament for security reasons

Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) dropped plans to host a four-nation international tournament before the 2010 World Cup after getting lukewarm response from nations invited for the tournament due to the security situation in the country.

PHF secretary Asif Bajwa admitted that the plan to host the four-nation event had not come off due to the security situation in the country.

"Because of the security conditions at the moment in Pakistan no team is willing to play in the country and that is a big setback for us," Bajwa said.

He said the International Hockey Federation had given the nod for the four-nation tournament but "it (FIH) can't force any country to send its team to Pakistan".

"We want to give the team exposure before the World Cup in New Delhi in February-March and we are still trying to organise a series with India or even a tournament in the United Arab Emirates," he said.

The Pakistan team left on Sunday for Argentina to take part in the Champions Challenge I from December 6-13 that features hosts Argentina, Pakistan, Belgium, India, China, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa.

Pakistan qualified for the World Cup after winning a qualifying tournament in France earlier this month.