Johor Hockey Association Deputy President and Malaysian Hockey Confederation Vice President Manjit Majid Abdullah said that efforts were underway to find a replacement team.
“We have been informed of Pakistan’s withdrawal and have tried to get a team to replace them but it is proving to be difficult with such short notice. Efforts are still undergoing but we may just have a five team tournament instead if we are unable to get the sixth,” said manjit.
It is indeed a shame that Pakistan opted to wait so late to decline the invite in a tournament that will see Australia, New Zealand, India, Germany and Malaysia..
While it is not confirmed, it is believed that Pakistan may be hosting another tournament during the same period for their junior team.
However checks with the FIH revealed that no sanction had been sought. However if the teams are only from Asia, then sanction is only required from the Asian Hockey Federation.
