KARACHI, Sept 28: The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has accommodated Pakistan as one of eight teams in the Champions Trophy as compensation after the elite six-nation tournament, which was shifted from Lahore, has now been awarded to Malaysia.

Malaysia has been awarded the hosting rights after the FIH moved the trophy from Pakistan earlier this month because of “circumstances beyond its control.” The decision came after Australia, and Spain opted to pull out from the tournament, citing security fears.

Along with India, Malaysia had been at the forefront in lobbying to get the hosting rights for the tournament since the FIH announced its decision to shift the trophy. Reports say that Malaysia, during Good Luck Beijing tournament, had offered participating countries free local hospitality in a bid to lure the teams to play in Kuala Lumpur.

“We are happy that the Malaysia Hockey Confederation was able to accept the responsibility to host this important event. We know that time for the preparation is short but we are confident that the Champions Trophy will be a success under the organization of Malaysia,” said FIH President Els van Breda Vriesman.

The FIH has decided to expand the number of participants from six to eight to compensate Pakistan who were deprived of hosting rights because of political turmoil and wave of suicide bombings in the country following military action against militants in Lal Masjid in July.

Apart from six original participants – Australia, Germany, South Korea, the Netherlands, Pakistan and Spain – hosts Malaysisa and Great Britain will also be in action. The tournament will now be played from Nov 29 to Dec 9 at Bukit Jalil’s National Hockey Stadium as a one pool competition.

While Malaysia will play hosts, England, who will be represented by Great Britain, will feature because of their fifth ranking at the 2006 World Cup in Germany last year.

“This is a fair and just outcome taking all factors into account and ensures the top teams in the world will be able to utilize the tournament as part of their preparations for the Beijing Olympic Games,” said Vriesman.

The FIH is expected to release the schedule of the tournament in the next couple of weeks.

Pakistan had also lost the hosting rights of the trophy in 2001 when the FIH shifted the tournament to Rotterdam because of security concerns after Sept 11 terror attacks and a imminent US strike on neighbouring Afghanistan.