KARACHI: Delay in the issuance of Dutch visas to Pakistan veterans team for the Masters World Cup Hockey being staged in Rotterdam has upset their travel plan.

“Despite our best efforts and requests from Dutch official Alexander Baker from Rotterdam, visas by the Dutch Embassy were not issued till today,” secretary of the Pakistan Veterans Hockey Club and manager-cum-coach Islahuddin Siddiqui said on Monday.

He said all the documents were submitted to the Netherlands 10, 12 days ago but the visas were not issued as the team was due to depart for Rotterdam en-route to Amsterdam on Monday night to feature in the June 5-13 event.

Islahuddin said he had to attend coaches/managers meeting on June 4. Pakistan were scheduled to meet Australia in their opening match on June 5.

He said change in travel itinerary of the team was going to cause a lot of hassle and cancellation of bookings would be an added burden.

“Without getting the visas, we cannot make a fresh booking to enable the team to reach in time for the 12-day championship,” Islahuddin stated.

Several former Pakistan Olympic, World Cup and Asian Games gold medallists are part of the Pakistan contingent to play in the Masters World Cup.

Published in Dawn, June 3rd, 2014