India-US women's hockey play-off in Delhi

After considerable dilly-dallying from both sides, India and the United States agreed to stick to the original schedule and play a qualifying three-match series in Delhi, from June 3 to 6, for a place in the 10th women's hockey World Cup.

The vexed issue of finding a venue for the two teams was solved after the US Embassy in Delhi gave a "no adverse" report to US citizens travelling to the Indian capital.

Earlier, the India and US teams were scheduled to travel to Belgium for the play-off but India expressed reservations about the cold weather and expenses that would be incurred in travelling.

The international body (FIH) intervened and, after consultations with the associations of both countries and receiving a positive report from the US Embassy, said the tie could be held as orginally proposed by the Indian Women's Hockey Federation.

The play-off was scheduled after the US failed to make it to France for the World Cup qualifiers in September following the terrorist attacks.

FIH decided to give the United States a chance and thereby India, by virtue of finishing seventh, were asked to play the U.S.

India were given a choice of venue and IWHF proposed the Maj Dhyan Chand National stadium in Delhi for the play-off. But the US were not keen to travel to India due to security considerations.

The winner of the play-off will qualify for the World Cup, to be held at Perth, from November 25 to December 8.

India will also be playing in a four-nation tournament in Manchester from June 14 to 16 in preparation for the Commonwealth and Asian Games.