Lahore, Nov 29 (IANS) The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has lashed out at the International Hockey Federation (FIH) move to bar the country from taking part in the Junior Hockey World Cup, terming it "pre-planned".
The FIH on Monday night issued a statement confirming Pakistan's inability to participate in the event in Lucknow from December 8.
It said that the Pakistani players had not submitted travel documents before the official deadline.
The FIH also named Malaysia as a replacement for Pakistan to take part in the tournament to be played at the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium.
However, terming the move as "pre-planned", PHF Secretary Shehbaz Ahmed shifted the blame on India.
"Pakistan did not delay any schedule obligation and it is all India's fault to not issue visa to Pakistan's delegation before deadline," Ahmed was quoted as saying by the Dawn newspaper.
"Our government had timely issued No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for players to take part in the tournament, but it is sad that Pakistan will not be able to take part in the Junior Hockey World Cup".
"We had planned training camps for our players so how can we delay any schedule to jeopardise our participation," he maintained.
"I had already seen it coming that this decision by FIH is going to go against Pakistan," Ahmed added.
--IANS
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