LAHORE, May 17: International Hockey Federation (FIH) on Monday said the 26th Champions Trophy would not be shifted from Lahore because of security concerns. "Security is not a problem only in Pakistan. It is now a worldwide concern. So there is no chance of shifting the Champions Trophy," FIH event manager Dennis Meredith told a news conference.
The 2001 Champions Trophy was shifted from Lahore to Amstelveen on the instructions of the FIH after some participants showed reluctance following Sept 11 terror attacks on USA.
Flanked by another FIH representative Arjen Rahusen, Meredith said FIH considered Asia as the centre of the sport and had allocated next year's Champions Trophy to India which would be organized in Chennai.
"We see Asia as centre of the game, therefore, FIH has allocated the next Champions Trophy to India which means the region will host back-to-back events," he said. Meredith hoped Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) would complete the renovation of the National Hockey Stadium (NHS) by Aug 31 before the start of the six-nation competition.
The official said a new turf was to be laid for the Champions Trophy as the existing surface was bumpy. It may be mentioned here that instead of Astroturf a poly grass surface was laid at NHS in 1998 before the Champions Trophy.
The decision was widely criticized by the media as the polygrass was imported for the ground adjacent to NHS, while Astroturf was for the main pitch. But late shipment of Astroturf forced PHF to lay the polygrass pitch for the Champions Trophy.
Subsequently, the Astroturf was installed at the other ground. "The National Hockey Stadium has staged a number of international events. So the city and the venue has great importance to hockey," he said.
A PHF official said the visit by FIH representative was scheduled 10 months before the Champions Trophy, but PHF delayed it to start the renovation of the venue.
PHF plans to renovate changing rooms and media centre, while doping test centre and a lift will be installed besides repair of executive rooms of Punjab Sports Board.
India and Pakistan would play an eight-match series on home and away basis from Sept 26 to Oct 14, the PHF official confirmed but added details were yet to be finalized.