Wednesday, February 27, 2013

India pull out of Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Hockey Tournament


New Delhi, February 26, 2013: Hockey India has been forced to withdraw the participation of its senior national men’s team from the 22nd Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Hockey Tournament to be played at Ipoh in Malaysia from March 9 to 17.

In the sanction given by Sports Authority of India to Hockey India regarding the men’s team participation in the 22nd Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Hockey Tournament, it is mentioned that Indian Men team will play this tournament at no cost to government. The only obligation to the government for this tour was to cover airfare cost of the team but in the sanction given by SAI it is clearly mentioned that government is not covering any cost. Therefore Hockey India has been forced to withdraw its participation from the tournament. Government has always covered the airfare of the team for this tournament till date.

Earlier this month Hockey India selectors and Government observer announced the team for the 22nd Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Hockey Tournament in which Danish Mujtaba was announced as the captain while PR Sreejesh as the vice captain of the team. The team is already undergoing training camp in Delhi in preparation for this tournament with the prior sanction of the Sports Authority of India which will now unfortunately have to be called off.  

Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Hockey Tournament is an A-Grade tournament sanctioned by the International Hockey Federation (FIH). India has never missed its participation in this prestigious tournament and has won the title on five occasions. In the last edition played in 2012, India finished at third position and in 2010 were joint winners with Korea. Also in 2009 India were the winners of this tournament. This tournament would have provided India with much needed exposure playing high ranked teams like Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan and Korea

Press release


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