KARACHI, Dec 9: Pakistan has confirmed its participation in the six-nation pre-World Cup hockey tournament being played in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, an official said Sunday.

“We have confirmed our participation for the next months’ six-nation event which would give us the much-needed fillip ahead of the World Cup,” Pakistan Hockey Federation secretary Brig. Musaratullah Khan told SADA.

“The event would put the team in the right stead ahead of the World Cup,” he added.

The six-nation event involves reigning Olympic and World champions Holland, Pakistan, Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand and Asian champions India.

The tournament, part of the International Hockey Federation’s (FIH) pre-judgment process gives a rough sketch to the FIH of the host country’s ability to organize a mega event like the World Cup ahead of the real event itself.

Together it also allows teams to get used to the conditions prevailing in the host country. Malaysia hosts the Xth World Cup from Feb 24 to March 9, 2002.

The Pakistan Hockey Federation has in principle decided not to change the team management before the World Cup.

“It would be unwise to change the team management on such a short notice,” sources said while adding that “the PHF is thinking of providing technical assistance to the team management by contracting a former Olympian.”

Former Olympian Hanif Khan with the assistance of his junior Khawaja Junaid is coaching the Pakistani team at present. Pakistan finished fourth in the last month’s Champions Trophy in Holland.—SADA