Champions Challenge Cup to be shifted out of India

By S. Thyagarajan

CHENNAI, OCT. 24. Sporting events in the sub-continent continue to be plagued by the developments after the terrorist strikes in the United States on September 11. One more competition was added to the list when the International Hockey Federation (FIH) decided to shift the first Champions Challenge Cup from New Delhi scheduled from December 8 to 15.

Coming as it does in the wake of the postponement of the Afro- Asian Games, this only highlights the unease over the security situation in India and Pakistan from the participating teams. After the Cabinet Committee of Security recommended to the Government to postpone the Afro-Asian Games scheduled in November, the South Asian Games in Islamabad was also postponed to March next.

The Champions Challenge is the second hockey event to be shifted from the sub-continent in recent months. First was the Champions Trophy in Lahore from November 3 to 11 when the European outfits, (the Netherlands, Germany, and England) among the six, expressed misgivings about undertaking the tour to Pakistan, rocked by strikes and military presence in the region.

Although the Pakistani hockey officials were displeased by the unilateral decision, and even demanded compensation for the resources pumped into preparing for the event, the FIH preferred to take the precaution of not exposing the players and officials to any danger.

Offering the event to any one of the participating countries, minus Pakistan, the FIH fixed the deadline on September 28. Melbourne in Australia and Rotterdam in the Netherlands made a bid but eventually Rotterdam got the nod to hold the Champions Trophy on the same dates.

Pakistan expressed some reservations about going to Rotterdam citing security problems for its players in the light of the attacks on Muslims in some European cities, notably in London. The FIH has assured full protection for the players, and an affirmation to this effect has come from the Mayor of Rotterdam.

The FIH, in a circular, now admits that New Delhi will not be the ideal centre for hosting the Champions Challenge in December. While not revealing who among the seven men and five women (India excluded in both) raised the questions on security and safety, the FIH note says, ``Based on the information received from national associations that have qualified for this event it was clear that only a few teams would have travelled to India due to the international political circumstances.''

Besides India, Argentina, Canada, Japan, Malaysia, South Africa and Spain have qualified for men's event, while England, Germany, South Africa, Korea and the United States are contenders among women.

The FIH is now considering the possibility of conducting the event in two different countries for men and women on the same dates.

It is understood that the FIH is unlikely to accept if an offer is made by Kuala Lumpur, citing security concerns in the light of the anti-U.S. protests in Malaysia. In fact, a question mark hangs on what the situation would be when the World Cup is to be staged in February-March next year.

Macau is mentioned as an alternative site for the women's event, and, in fact, the FIH president, Els van Breda Vriessman, visited the venue a few days ago and is expected to convene a meeting in Singapore. It must be mentioned here that China had offered to host the women's Champions Trophy next year as part of the country's preparations for the 2008 Olympiad.

Understandably, the FIH is very much concerned about having to shift venues and alter fixed agenda due to circumstances beyond its control. Three events -the Afro-Asian, Champions Trophy and the Champions Challenge - had to be shifted or postponed in the sub-continent, which, ironically enough, commands the largest spectator support for hockey competitions.

A clear picture about the venues for the Champions Challenge is likely to emerge in the next few days. The FIH will have to take a close look at the programme for the next year when its committees meet for the bi-annual meeting in Brussels next month.

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