ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has no plan to bid for the Champions Trophy after the FIH stripped India due to an administrative row over the governance of the game.

“We have no intention of launching a late bid for the Champions Trophy,” The Times of India quoted PHF secretary Asif Bajwa as saying on Thursday.

Mentioning weak financial position of the federation for hosting such a big event, he maintained that the reality is that even if the PHF contemplates holding the tournament, participating teams will continue to have security issues about playing in Pakistan.

However, Bajwa said the PHF was more keen to host a four-nation tournament in Pakistan.

Declining to comment on the FIH’s decision of shifting the Champions Trophy from India, secretary PHF said: “I wouldn’t comment as it is an internal issue of Indian hockey. However, I would like to see the row resolved and India host such events since it is beneficial for Asia.”—APP