*India's exclusion sparks protests from fans *
ANGRY fans have demanded a refund on their tickets to protest at India’s exclusion from the men’s hockey competition.
*Strange qualifying norms – one team from each Commonwealth region besides the defending champions and the hosts – threw eight-time Olympic champions India out of the competition as higher-ranked Pakistan grabbed Asia’s lone berth. *
Dhanraj Pillay and company were forced to stay at home even as unlikely hockey nations like Wales and Barbados were given entries to the eight-team tournament.
Canada’s men and women’s teams made the trip to Manchester without breaking sweat – it is the only Commonwealth country from the Americas.
“Whoever made these rules is an idiot,” said Manchester resident Avtar Singh, angry that he and thousands of Asian immigrants in this industrial city were deprived of a mouth-watering clash between India and Pakistan.
“We waited in hope that the organisers would finally see sense and take India in at the last minute. I wanted to see India play against Pakistan, not Australia or England. I want my money back and I know many of my friends do too.”
Games organisers, who framed the rules in consultation with the Inter- national Hockey Federation, defended their decision.
“Where else will Wales or Barbados get a chance to play against Pakistan or Australia,” said a Games official.
“These are, after all, the Friendship Games.”
Moves by Indian Olympic officials to gain back-door entry by forcing Barbados to pull out were scoffed at by the country’s hockey administration.
Indian Hockey Federation secretary K. Jyothikumaran said the national team preferred to train for “much more important” events like the Champions Trophy and the Asian Games later this year.
Australia, meanwhile, are set to rule both the men’s and women’s competitons, which get underway at the Belle Vue Hockey Centre today.
The Australian men, who reached the final of the World Cup in Malaysia in March, are favourites to overcome England and Pakistan and retain the title they won in Malaysia four years ago.
It should be an even easier time for the awesome Aussie women, who are the reigning Olympic, World and Commonwealth champions.
In the men’s event, Pakistan play Canada, Wales and England in Group B while holders Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Barbados comprise Group A.
In the women’s event, Australia are in Group A with Scotland, Malaysia and South Africa. Group B has England, New Zealand, India, and Canada.