KARACHI, July 10: Pakistan will bid to host next year’s silver jubilee edition of the Champions Trophy hockey tournament despite security fears, an official said Wednesday.

“Pakistan has already conveyed to the International Hockey Federation (FIH) that as initiator of the event we would love to host its silver jubilee edition in 2003,” Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) secretary Brig Musarratullah Khan said.

“Foreign teams may show security reservations, but we hope that things will improve by that time.”

The English Hockey Association (EHA) Tuesday announced that due to domestic problems it is unable to host the event, which will involve the six top-ranked hockey nations.

Pakistan initiated the Champions Trophy in 1978 and has hosted the event 10 times, the last in 1998.

The FIH was forced to shift the 2001 event from Lahore to Rotterdam in the Netherlands after the European Union advised foreign teams to stay away from Pakistan in the wake of September 11 incidents.

“Pakistan is given the 2004 event as compensation but we have always wanted to host the 25th edition as Pakistan deserve to host it,” Khan said.

The 2002 event is scheduled to be held in Cologne, Germany from Aug 31-Sept 9.

The PHF secretary said Pakistan has invited arch-rivals India to compete in a five-nation Asian hockey event in Lahore in December this year.

“We have invited India through Asian Hockey Association and hope of a positive response,” he said.

Malaysia, South Korea and Japan are the other invitees.

Pakistan has not played India since losing to them in the final of President Gold Cup in March last year.

India has kept sporting links with Pakistan at a minimum in protest at Islamabad’s alleged support for militants in the Kashmir valley.

However, the teams may also meet in this month’s Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England.—AFP