No solid reason for change, says PHF

Published September 13, 2007

LAHORE, Sept 12: PHF secretary Khalid Mahmood blamed the FIH and Hockey Australia for shifting the Champions Trophy from Pakistan.

“We are really disappointed over the decision as it is not based on any solid reason. The FIH informed us in the evening on Wednesday about their decision which they said was taken on security reservations shown by some countries. But I would like to ask them whether Spain or India are really safe?. There is also same kind of security concerns there,” the secretary said.

“I will also hold FIH responsible for bowing down to some countries and it will set a bad trend because no country will be sure on hosting rights,” he said.

Asked if reserve countries England and Japan had also refused the FIH’s invitation, the secretary said Hockey Australia played a negative role by writing to all the countries that they were not going to Pakistan.

Khalid said it was too early to comment when asked if Pakistan would also refuse to play at another venue after FIH moved the event from Lahore.

Opinion

Editorial

Afghan hostilities
Updated 28 Feb, 2026

Afghan hostilities

The need is for an immediate ceasefire and substantive negotiations, with the onus on the Taliban to rein in cross-border attacks.
Cutting taxes
28 Feb, 2026

Cutting taxes

PRIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s plan to cut direct taxes for businesses in the next budget acknowledges the strain...
KCR challenge
28 Feb, 2026

KCR challenge

THE Karachi Circular Railway is being discussed again. It seems that the project, or, rather, the hopes of it, are...
A collective effort
Updated 27 Feb, 2026

A collective effort

CONSIDERING the relentless wave of terrorist attacks Pakistan has been facing over the past few weeks, the...
Criminalising criticism
27 Feb, 2026

Criminalising criticism

ISLAMABAD seems to have developed quite a thin skin. A letter sent to the prime minister on Wednesday by leading...
Utter chaos
27 Feb, 2026

Utter chaos

THE PTI is in disarray. The lack of discipline within its ranks, which it has long refused to address, is finally...