Tuesday, February 26, 2013

In-dia Out-dia from Azlan Shah Cup..

FIVE-TIME champions India have pulled out of the Azlan Shah Cup which will be held in Ipoh on March 9-17.
  And the
reason?
  Because Sports Authority of India (SAI) refused to bear the travel expenditure of the national team, which would come up to a mere US14,000.
  The organisers of the Azlan Shah Cup bear the cost of food and lodging.
  India had confirmed their entry, and the fixtures have already been drawn up so if they stick to their guns, the tournament will become a five-team event with Malaysia, Pakistan, Australia, South Korea and New Zealand making the cast.
  Hockey India, the governing body, had sent out a press statement regarding the matter.
   Times of India said: "We have withdrawn the national team from the Azlan Shah Cup after the government refused to bear the to and fro airfares stating that we have exceeded the budget," a reliable source said on conditions of anonymity.
  "It is an unfortunate incident as it is the SAI who has given us the go-ahead to hold the national camp for this tournament here. And now they are saying no.."
  India were supposed to fly in this Saturday.