India, Pak confirm participation in Hockey Tourney

India and Pakistan have confirmed their participation in a hockey tournament to be staged in Dubai in April-May, according to organisers.

''India and Pakistan have confirmed participation. (However) we are yet to hear from the other countries who are to participate in the event,'' said Zahid Noorani, the chief executive of the Cricketers' Benefit Fund Series (CBFS), which is organising the tournament along with the UAE Hockey Association. ''Confirmation from other countries its expected soon,'' Noorani told Gulf News while denying reports that Australia, as the third country, has already confirmed participation.

In fact, discussions were still on whether the tournament should be triangular and quadrangular.

Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) Secretary Jyothikumaran recently stated that there were plans to include Malaysia and another team from outside the Asian continent in the tournament.

Noorani said discussions for preparing the ground for the tournament were on. ''We are almost sure of getting the ground ready for the tournament,'' he added