Pak keen on participating in the WC

Pakistan Hockey Federation secretary and great Shahbaz Ahmed said they will follow all due procedures in time to ensure their team competes in next year's FIH World Cup here without much hassle.

Pakistan couldn't take part in last year's Junior World Cup at Lucknow after their players were unable to get visas on time. Shahbaz, considered one of the best strikers of the sport, said the PHF hopes for a smoother ride in the senior bash.    

"Whichever country you go to for a tournament, you have to fulfill the formalities and India is no exception. Whatever the requirement, we will follow for the next year's world Cup. It's a sport and you can't have same yardstick as you have for civilians," said Shahbaz, a World Cup winner in 1994.

"For the February 2016 South Asian Games held in Guwahati we got the visas in 12 days.

"There's nothing to hide about sportsmen. We will be in correspondence with the concerned officials. We will also keep FIH in the loop so that we don't face any issues this time. Our absence at the Junior World Cup last year cost the team valuable experience. These upcoming juniors players did not get the exposure who would have made it to the senior team."

FIH CEO Jason McCracken, speaking to the media during the course of the ongoing FIH World League Final, said Pakistan have been invited to the showpiece event and the world body is in constant talks with PHF regarding their participation.