 "'Security in India much better than Pakistan': Hockey India secretary general responds to Asia Cup withdrawals")
Hockey India secretary general Bhola Nath Singh played down the significance of Pakistan and Oman pulling out of the upcoming Men’s Asia Cup that will be taking place in Rajgir, Bihar, stating that the security situation in India is much better than Pakistan.
The Pakistan Hockey Federation had cited security concerns while pulling out of the Asia Cup , which takes place between 29 August and 7 September even as the Indian government agreed to issue visas for their players. That, however, is not the case with Oman, who have withdrawn from the 8-team event reportedly due to financial constraints.
Pakistan and Oman have since been replaced by Bangladesh and Kazakhstan respectively, the latter placed in Pool A along with hosts India as well as China and Japan.
Hockey India hits back at Pakistan over security concerns
“Why isn’t Pakistan coming? Why are they not participating? This is not clear to us,” Asian Hockey Federation vice-president Singh said in response to Pakistan’s withdrawal.
“If they are citing security concerns, I can confidently say that security and all the arrangements in India are much better than in Pakistan,” he added.
Singh added that India’s focus remains on successfully hosting the tournament, the winner of which will qualify for next year’s World Cup in Belgium and Netherlands.
“Who is coming and who is not coming, we don’t care about that. Whoever has qualified, whoever is coming, we welcome everyone to India.
“For us, we have to organise this as a grand success, and whoever is coming, we welcome them wholeheartedly,” he added.
Team India face China in their opening game on 29 August before taking on Japan and Kazakhstan on 31 August and 1 September respectively. The top two teams from each group compete in the Super4s which take place from 3 to 6 September, in which each team plays each of the remaining three sides once round-robin style.
The top-two teams at the end of the Super4s compete in the final on 7 September while the other two teams lock horns in the third-fourth place playoff earlier in the day.
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