Islamabad, March 16: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has threatened to withdraw from the Junior World Cup to be held in India this December after New Delhi recently called off a bilateral hockey series which was supposed to be played in both countries next month owing to security reasons and the growing tension between the two neighbours in the wake of the terror attack in Srinagar on March 13.

However, the International Hockey Federation, which is hosting the world cup, can take action against the PHF if it refuses to take part in the tournament, a report said.

Earlier, PHF secretary general Muhammad Asif Bawja said they would agree to play a hockey series with India if the latter decided to send its team first. The displeased official said the attitude of the Indian government caused harm to hockey in the sub-continent.

Bawja said sports acts as a messenger of peace and bridges gap between people and condemned India for mixing politics with sports. He said Pakistan would not play the hockey series on a neutral venue.

The Indian hockey team was supposed to reciprocate the Pakistani team's visit next month and the series were expected to have revived the bilateral hockey ties between the traditional rivals after nearly seven years.

India took a tough stand after five of its paramilitary personnel were killed in the recent militant attack in Srinagar. New Delhi claimed that the attackers were sent from Pakistan although the latter denied such allegations.

OneIndia News