PAKISTAN POSTPONES ASIAN CHAMPIONS TROPHY HOCKEY TOURNEY

By P. Vijian

NEW DELHI, July 17 (Bernama) -- Pakistan has decided to postpone the
inaugural men's Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament slated for September in
Lahore due to a hectic schedule of international tournaments.

Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) general secretary Asif Bajwa said he had
informed the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) of the decision to postpone the
tournament, which had drawn the participation of top Asian teams including
Malaysia.

"We have to prepare for next year's World Cup (in New Delhi); we have to
play in the qualifying rounds of the World Cup.

"And our senior team is involved in several international tournaments as
well. It is not possible to host the tournament in September," Asif told Bernama
in a telephone interview from Karachi Friday.

Describing the decision to postpone the tournament as an unfortunate one,
Asif said the PHF would try to host the event next year.

He denied that the tournament was cancelled due to the uncertain security
environment in Pakistan which has been prone to terrorist attacks of late.

Last year, the Malaysian-based AHF, the governing body for field hockey in
Asia, decided at the AHF congress in Kuala Lumpur to award the tournament to
Pakistan.

Other Asian hockey giants like China, Japan and South Korea were also to
participate in the Lahore tournament.
-- BERNAMA