HOME   
   NEWS   
   BUSINESS   
   CRICKET   
   SPORTS   
   MOVIES   
   NET GUIDE   
   SHOPPING   
   BLOGS  
   ASTROLOGY  
   MATCHMAKER  


Search:



The Web

Rediff








Sports
News
Interviews
Specials
Slide Shows
Hockey
Chess



Home > Sports > News > PTI > Report

India pull out of Azlan Shah hockey


March 17, 2003 18:12 IST

The Indian hockey team pulled out of the prestigious Azlan Shah hockey tournament in Malaysia after the government denied it permission to make the trip, citing the recent harassment of its IT professionals in that country, a top Indian Hockey Federation official said.

The decision was conveyed to the IHF shortly before the team's departure for the invitational six-nation tournament, to be held at Ipoh from March 22 to 30.

IHF chief K P S Gill said the decision was taken by the External Affairs Ministry in consultation with the Sports Ministry.

"We respect the decision of the government. It is a policy decision taken in the larger interest of the country," Gill said.

"We totally agree with the government. At the same time, we will request the government to arrange for an alternative tournament for our team," he added.

The IHF had announced an 18-member squad, led by veteran Dhanraj Pillay, for the tournament, which also features arch-rivals Pakistan.

Gill hoped that the last-minute withdrawal would not have adverse financial implication on the IHF.

"It is an invitational tournament and our participation was based on mutual understanding," he said.

Also read:

Rajinder justifies Baljit, Mukesh's selection


© Copyright 2003 PTI. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of PTI content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent.



Article Tools

Email this Article

Printer-Friendly Format

Letter to the Editor









HOME   
   NEWS   
   BUSINESS   
   CRICKET   
   SPORTS   
   MOVIES   
   NET GUIDE   
   SHOPPING   
   BLOGS  
   ASTROLOGY  
   MATCHMAKER  
Copyright © 2003 rediff.com India Limited. All Rights Reserved.