India Coach Paul Van Ass Hopes Pakistan Feature in 2016 Rio Olympics
Pakistan, who have played at every Olympics since their first appearance in 1948, are yet to qualify for the 2016 Summer Games at Rio de Janeiro and the ongoing World League Semifinals presents their last opportunity to clinch an Olympic spot.
Indian hockey coach Paul van Ass hopes Pakistan feature in the 2016 Olympic Games and bolster the subcontinental flavor at the quadrennial event. (India Draw vs Pakistan, Regain Top Spot in HWL)
"I hope Pakistan is there in the Olympics, as they should be," says Indian coach Paul van Ass, asserting that international hockey could not do without the two subcontinental teams.
Pakistan have played at every Olympics since their first appearance in 1948, while India missed the 2008 Olympic Games when they lost the qualifying event's final to Great Britain.
Pakistan had failed to feature among the 12 teams for the 2014 World Cup, an event that they have won more times than any other country. (Click here for latest on Hockey)
Behind India's eight gold medals and Germany's four titles, including one by West Germany, Pakistan are the most successful team in Olympic history.
Pakistan have won three gold medals out of their six appearances in the title contest at the Olympics, but are now facing a stiff challenge to qualify for the 2016 Summer Games at Rio de Janeiro.
India secured their passage by winning the Asian Games gold medal, but the ongoing World League Semifinals presents Pakistan their last opportunity to clinch an Olympic spot.
The Olympic qualification will depend largely upon the quarterfinal fixtures, which will be finalised after the last round of men's preliminary league matches here on Sunday.
Three Olympic qualification spots are available to the top-placed teams from this competition, but some sides ranked slightly lower may also get a chance if any of the countries also feature in the five places available to winners of continental tournaments.
"We are confident of making to the Olympic Games," said Pakistan coach Shahnaz Sheikh, a former captain and Olympian himself.
"A lot is at stake in the quarterfinal, where the opponents would only be known after the last league game tomorrow," Shahnaz said.
The top three teams in this tournament will also advance to the World League Final in India in December.