August 03, 2007	Friday	Rajab 18, 1428

MADRID, Aug 2: Spanish hockey team is keeping its fingers crossed on its participation in the Champions Trophy in Lahore after its government issued an advisory not to travel to Pakistan. The Champions Trophy is scheduled to be held from December 1 to 9.

But unlike Australia, Spanish Hockey Federation has not taken a decision to pull out of the tournament, preferring instead to wait and watch as well as hoping that situation would improve in coming days. “We have given all details about security in Pakistan to the government.

These details were supplied to us by the FIH,” Spanish chief coach Maurits Hendriks said on Thursday.

Hendriks, busy preparing team for European Nations championships to be held in Manchester from August 18, said Spain was keen on participating in the Lahore event.

“Remember, we won Champions Trophy for the first time in Lahore in 2004. We have a good relationship with Pakistan. We hope the situation improves in the coming months.”

Meanwhile, it is learnt that the International Hockey Federation (FIH) may take a final decision on the venue in its meeting in Beijing next week. It coincides with the Good Luck Beijing four-nation tournament (August 8-13) in which Australia, China, Pakistan and Malaysia are taking part.

The tournament is an Olympic test event and will be held at the venue which will host matches at Beijing Games. —Agencies