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LAHORE Pakistan is sending a delegation to New Delhi to assess security for this month's Hockey World Cup, an official said on Wednesday, after a reported threat against sporting events in India.
New security fears surfaced after a bombing Saturday at a restaurant in the western Indian city of Pune, which killed 11 people.
“On our request, the government has cleared the visit of a two-man delegation to New Delhi to ascertain the security situation there,” Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) secretary Asif Baja told reporters.
Associate PHF secretary Rana Mujahid and marketing representative Shahid Bhindara will fly to New Delhi on Friday and will be briefed about the arrangements for the Pakistan team on Saturday, Bajwa added.
“This is part of every tour, but considering the latest situation and the World Cup being a major event, we want to make sure of the arrangements for our team,” said Bajwa, a former Olympian.
The 12-nation World Cup, held every four years, opens in New Delhi with an India-Pakistan clash on February 28 and runs until March 13.
“Pakistan's team has been cleared to play by the government and it will depart on February 22,” Bajwa said.
The Indian home ministry on Tuesday, allowed the Pakistan foreign office to send its security delegation to India on Feb 19 to check the security arrangements made for the World Cup hockey tournament, which is being held in New Delhi from Feb 29.
On the request of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), made a month back, the Pakistan foreign office had contacted the Indian home ministry, which responded on Tuesday, asking to send the delegation on Feb 19.
