After Australia pulled out of the Champions Trophy hockey tournament due to security conerns, the South Koreans too have decided to follow suit, opting not to play in the prestigious event slated to be held in Lahore from December 1-9.
Confirming this, South Korean coach Cho Myung Jun said: "Korea will not play in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan."
Spain and the Netherlands too are contemplating pulling out. England were to take Australia's place, but it looks as if more countries may pull out. If Spain and the Nertherlands do withdraw, it will leave just Germany and hosts Pakistan in the fray.
Bob Davidzon, the chairman of the marketing committee of the International Hockey Federation (FIH), said the situation in Pakistan was a cause for concern. "The FIH is concerned with the security situation in Pakistan and discussed it in the meeting in Beijing," he said here on Wednesday.
"Australia have already pulled out. The governments of Netherlands and Spain have cautioned their national teams saying that they were free to go if they desired but were specifically told to avoid crowded places. And if more top countries pull out, the quality of the tournament will go down. It is the same situation as in 2001, when the event was shifted to Rotterdam from Lahore."
India and Malaysia have bid with the FIH to host the Champions Trophy. Davidzon confirmed this, adding, “They have both sent letters and the FIH has replied to them about the requirements for the event. Whichever country is hosting it will have to start from scratch and the FIH will give them time for preparations. The FIH will meet in mid-September in Lausanne and decide on the matter. But as of now, the event is still going to be held in Lahore."
Shifting the Champions Trophy to India or Malaysia will see the host country get a chance to play in the event. India finished sixth and last in the 2005 edition in Chennai. "Whichever country hosts it, they will get a chance to play in the Champions Trophy. That will certainly be a boost for them," Davidzon said.
