LAHORE, Aug 6: Secretary of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Khalid Mahmood hopes the International Hockey Federation (FIH) will not take any decision in haste over shifting the forthcoming Champions Trophy from Pakistan.

Talking to Dawn on Monday, Khalid said as the FIH Executive Committee, which is meeting in Beijing on Wednesday, had not included the Champions Trophy matter in their agenda, he did not think that a final decision would be taken at the meeting.

The Champions Trophy is scheduled to be held in Lahore in December but the Olympic champions Australia, despite being possible winners, have refused to take part in the elite event on security grounds. After Australia’s decision, the fate of the contest hangs in the balance as some other countries are yet to confirm their participation to the FIH.

“I believe the Australian decision was premature as plenty of time is still left and I expect the FIH will also advise its member countries to wait,” the secretary said.

He admitted that though the matter (of Champions Trophy) was not on the FIH agenda, however, added that any country could raise the point. But, he revealed, no official would be in Beijing to defend Pakistan’s point of view as no Pakistani was elected for any FIH post in the last elections.

The secretary said Australia had also intimated the reserve countries of the Champions Trophy about their decision against which the PHF raised objection.

“If the Australians are not ready to play here that is their decision but they have no right to pass their decision to other countries,” he emphasised.

The secretary did not agree with the questioner that the Australians might have taken the decision because in the past, the two federations had strained relations after former Pakistan captain Mohammad Saqlain and Tariq Aziz injured two Australian players with hockey sticks during matches.

“We have good relations with Hockey Australia and I don’t believe that previous incidents have any role behind their decision (to avoid playing in the Champions Trophy),” he said.

However, Khalid was surprised that Cricket Australia was still committed to the Pakistan Cricket Board over sending ‘A’ and junior teams to Pakistan later this year.

“The situation is surprising as CA and Hockey Australia have taken different stands over sending teams to Pakistan,” he observed.

Asked why the PHF was not trying to take the participating countries into confidence by informing them about the security arrangements, the secretary responded that no one could be convinced. However, he added if any of them wished to visit Lahore to witness the security plans, the PHF would assist them.

About the Champions Trophy arrangements, the PHF official said the work to install floodlights had been started, adding that a three-member delegation would soon visit Holland to approve the floodlights for the venue. The floodlights are being installed by the Punjab government at the cost of around Rs100 million.

However, the secretary said the funds were not available for the TV screen, saying the PHF was negotiating with the Punjab government to release the funds for it as well.