International Hockey Federation (FIH) has confirmed that Pakistan’s men’s junior team will not be able to take part in this year’s Junior Hockey World Cup to be held in Lucknow from December 8 to 18, as it had applied for visas after the official deadline.

Pakistan has been replaced by Malaysia’s junior men’s team. The Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) has confirmed that they have accepted an invitation from Hockey India (FIH) to compete in the tournament.

“The FIH regrets that Pakistan’s men’s junior team will not be able to take part in this year’s Junior World Cup to be held in Uttar Pradesh even though they had officially qualified. The FIH’s decision follows considerable discussions with the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) and requests for confirmation that they had the necessary arrangements in place to be able to participate in the event,” the FIH said. 

“Visas had been applied for after the official deadline and no accommodation was confirmed within the set deadlines. Despite a number of correspondence and reminders,” FIH said in a statement.

“The PHF was not able to show that their team would be able to travel to Lucknow for the event begins in which only a few days’ time. The FIH has substantial contractual obligations to its partners to deliver a full number of matches at the forthcoming Junior Hockey World Cup for men,” the FIH added.