The Hindu : Sport / Hockey : Australia doubtful for Champions Trophy

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Sep 15, 2004

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Sport - Hockey

Australia doubtful for Champions Trophy

SYDNEY, SEPT. 14. Australia is unlikely to send its Olympic champion hockey team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy because of concerns over terrorism.

Hockey Australia chief executive, Linden Adamson, on Tuesday said he was alarmed at a lack of information from tournament organisers in Lahore over security issues.

A bomb exploded outside Australia's embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, last week, heightening concern for Australian travellers.

``These acts clearly point to the fact that Australia is the target of extremists,'' Adamson said.

``We must be doubly certain that we are taking athletes and support staff into areas that are safe. If it's not safe, we won't go. It's as simple as that.''

Adamson said he wrote to organisers in Lahore two weeks ago and still hasn't received any details on security plans.

``If that information is not forthcoming, there is no way Australia will take part,'' he said.

FIH, the international federation, has asked all six competing nations to confirm their participation before September 24.

The six-nation tournament starts on December 4.

The FIH has reportedly indicated that Australia's Kookaburras will not be sanctioned if they withdraw from the elite tournament because of the Australian government's warning against non-essential travel to Pakistan.

The international federation reported on its Web site, fihockey.org, that India was willing to travel to Pakistan if either Australia or New Zealand, which qualified by placing sixth at last month's Athens Olympics, withdrew. India was seventh at the Olympics.

Spain, Germany, Netherlands and Pakistan had qualified before the Olympics. — AP

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