NEW DELHI, July 8: Moves are afoot to grant India a last-minute entry into the field hockey event of the Commonwealth Games, raising hopes of an eagerly-awaited clash with arch-rivals Pakistan, officials said on Monday.

India were left out in the cold after Pakistan were given the lone berth from Asia in the eight-team men’s event at the Manchester Games starting on July 25.

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) nominated India as the first stand-by in case any of the eight teams withdrew, a prospect that appears likely with reports that Barbados may not be able to field a team.

“We are awaiting confirmation from the organisers,” said Randhir Singh, a senior official of the Indian Olympic Association.

“I have already sounded out the Indian hockey officials about this. We should know for certain this week.”

Defending champions Australia head both the men’s and women’s events to be played at the Belle Vue Leisure Centre in downtown Manchester.

Other teams in the men’s event are hosts England, New Zealand, South Africa, Barbados, Canada, Wales and Pakistan.

India, however, figure in the women’s event which has Australia, Scotland, South Africa, Jamaica, New Zealand, England and Canada.

If India are given entry, they could face Pakistan in the semi-finals or final before an expected large turnout of Asian immigrants in Manchester.

India and Pakistan have not played each other at hockey since the final of the Prime Minister’s Gold Cup tournament in Bangladesh in January, 2001, which India won on penalty strokes.

The two sides did not meet at the World Cup in Malaysia in March.—AFP