New Delhi: Unlike the Junior World Cup in Lucknow two years ago, the Pakistan team should face no problem in participating in the World Cup to be played in Bhubaneswar from November 28.
Making it clear that Pakistan will be extended the invitation for the world meet, the international hockey federation (FIH) president, Narinder Batra, said the necessary permission has already been obtained from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
"As per the procedure, Pakistan would apply for visas 60 days before the start of the World Cup. This is a World Cup organised by the FIH. So, there is no reason why Pakistan would not play especially after having qualified for the meet," Batra said.
In 2016, Pakistan squad did not receive visas for playing the Junior World Cup in Lucknow prompting the blame game between Pakistan Hockey Federation and FIH. While PHF said both FIH and Hockey India (HI) did not make any effort to get their team clearance for India, FIH said the visa applications were not submitted in time in Islamabad.
On Thursday, the HI promised to organise the World Cup in the best possible manner after the Odisha government agreed to become the sponsor for the national federation for the next five years in the presence of state chief minister Naveen Patnaik.
This is for the first time a state government would be involved as sponsor of a national-level sporting body.
While all former players present in the function, including Dilip Tirkey, Dhanraj Pillay and Viren Rasquinha, hoped India would finish in the medal bracket, chief coach Sjoerd Marijne said he would like the team to peak at the right time.
This year, starting with Azlan Shah Trophy, India are set to play a series of top tournaments including Commonwealth Games, Champions Trophy, Asian Games, and the World Cup at the end of the year. Marijne said the focus would be on the Asian Games and the World Cup on home turf.
"The aim would be to do well in the Asian Games and World Cup. If you win the Asian Games, you become the first team in the world to qualify for the Olympics. It leaves you time for almost two years to prepare for the Olympics," said the coach.
Asked whether former captain Sardar Singh is still an automatic choice, Marijne laughed and said he had no comment to make on this issue.
"I was expecting this question. But I never talk about individual players. I can't say anything about the announcements of team for Azlan Shah," he said.
"We look at every tournament in a different way. We try to have a combination of experienced and junior players in every tournament," added the coach.
