August 03, 2007	Friday	Rajab 18, 1428

BERLIN, Aug 2: World Cup winners Germany will participate in the Champions Trophy at Lahore in December, it was confirmed here on Thursday. The Germany Hockey Association general secretary Uschi Schmitz confirmed that Germany will accept International Hockey Federation’s invitation to go to Lahore.

“We have no problems at present with going to Lahore following discussions with our Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We will accept invitation of FIH before the deadline of August 3,” Schmitz said.

“We have to take care of our players. We will review the situation with our Ministry of Foreign Affairs and follow their advice if the situation changes.

“There are now direct flights from Frankfurt to Lahore and we are told that will be safer than transferring flights within Pakistan,” Schmitz added.

Meanwhile, the Netherlands and the South Korean Hockey Associations are still consulting with their governments about travel to Pakistan and have not yet accepted the FIH invitation. A South Korea Hockey spokesperson said on Thursday that “we had planned to sending the team to Pakistan but the hostage situation of South Korean nationals in Afghanistan means we have to discuss this with our government and following that we will make a decision on Friday.”

A decision from Netherlands Hockey Association is also expected by Friday following talks with its Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Olympic gold medallists Australia pulled out of prestigious tournament last week, citing an advisory from its government against travelling to Pakistan. Pakistan Hockey Federation has lodged its protest with the FIH on the move from Australia.—Agencies