Sena back-passes hockey hospitality

MUMBAI, JAN 13: The Shiv Sena today vented its ire at the forthcoming Indo-Pak hockey series but had no response when reminded of its chi...

MUMBAI, JAN 13: The Shiv Sena today vented its ire at the forthcoming Indo-Pak hockey series but had no response when reminded of its chief Bal Thackeray’s comments two years ago that the Pakistan hockey team was always welcome to India but not its cricketers.

Shiv Sena spokesman Subash Desai told The Indian Express that he did not recall any such comment. He said that health reasons did not permit Thackeray to speak to the press but would, nevertheless, seek a reaction from him later.

Desai, however, affirmed that the party would not tolerate the planned Pakistan hockey tour of India taking place.

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The latest Shiv Sena outburst comes at a time when a question mark hangs over Pakistan’s proposed cricket tour to India later this month following vandalising of Delhi’s Ferozeshah Kotla pitch on January 6 by Sena activists.

Today’s statements by Desai roared disapproval against the forthcoming Indo-Pak hockey series vowing that it would not allow any contact with Pakistan, be it sport or any other exchange.

Desai added: “Pakistan has not shown any attitude of friendship. On the contrary they are a security threat to our country. We cannot tolerate a one-sided effort to maintain friendly relations.”

Two cricket Tests are to be played at Chennai (Jan 28-Feb 1) and Delhi (Feb 4-8) as per the revised schedule.

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India are scheduled to play a nine-test hockey series against Pakistan (four at home and five in Pakistan) in February.