Malaysia keen to host Champions Trophy

KUALA LUMPUR: The International Hockey Federation (IHF) have decided to move the men’s Champions Trophy tournament away from Lahore, Pakistan, due to safety reasons.

And the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) are keen to host the tournament, scheduled for Dec 1-9.

Olympic champions Australia and Spain, who have qualified for the tournament, informed the FIH that they would not be able to participate due to security reasons. Germany, South Korea and Holland also did not confirm their entry.

Reserve countries England and Japan also declined the invitation. With six of the best eight hockey teams not participating in the Samsung Champions Trophy, one of the most important hockey tournaments in the world, the FIH had no option but to change the venue for the 2007 Champions Trophy tournament.

FIH will decide on the new venue in the next few days.

MHC secretary Datuk Dr S.S. Cheema said that they informed FIH on Sept 6 of their intention to host the tournament.

Cheema said that the Malaysian team, who won their first-ever bronze medal in the Asia Cup in Chennai on Sunday, have no competitions left this year.

“So it will really benefit the national team to play in the Champions Trophy as they need to play quality matches to prepare for next year’s Olympic qualifie,” he said.

The national team, who returned from the Asia Cup on Tuesday, will resume training on Tuesday.