Thursday, January 8, 2009

FIH Clarify Report

THE International Hockey Federation (FIH) yesterday clarified that no draw for the 2009 Junior World Cup has been made yet, as they are waiting for confirmation from participating teams.
Timesport had written yesterday that the draw has been made and Malaysia are in an European group made up of Germany, Poland, Spain and Belgium.
FIH Communications Manager Arjen Meijer clarified yesterday via e-mail: “The FIH never released any pools for the Junior World Cup, as we are still waiting for the confirmation of the participants by 16 January 2009. We hope to release the pools at the end of this month.”
Malaysia and Singapore will co-host the Junior World Cup on June 7-21, with 20 teams competing.
The FIH website, however, has named the 20 teams which have qualified and they are defending champions Argentina, Australia, South Africa, Egypt, Malaysia, Singapore, India, South Korea, Pakistan, Japan, Spain, Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, England, Poland, Russia, Chile, US and New Zealand.