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Published 06 Dec, 2008 12:00am

PHF considering not to send hockey team to India

LAHORE Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) is considering not to send its hockey team on tour of India in the wake of negative campaign by Indian media in the aftermath of Mumbai terror attack.
In a statement here on Saturday the Secretary,PHF, Muhammad Asif Bajwa said 'If the Indian government and its media did not change its stance towards Pakistan then we would also be compelled to change our stance in accordance with the public sentiments and may not allow our team to visit India.'
Bajwa further said that PHF have very cordial relations with the Indian Hockey Federation and both the federations want bilateral series between the two countries but the Indian government and its medias campaign to malign Pakistan would force the PHF not to allow its team to undertake the tour of India.
'The series between the two countries will not only promote the game in the region but would also develop a temperament among the players to play in a pressure game. But the way the Indian government and its media has launched a campaign against Pakistan, it would be difficult for us to allow our team to tour India. We the hockey community strongly condemn this attitude of the Indian government,' he asserted.
'If they persist with the same conduct then we have to abandon our tour of India, he added.
Bajwa said that sports should be kept separate from politics otherwise it would be devastating for the game in the region.
 

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