Kookaburras still heading to India

The Australian men's hockey side are still planning to take part in the World Cup in
India after being assured there has been "no change to the threat environment" in
the country.
The Kookaburras' participation in the event had been cast in doubt after Pakistan
militant Ilyas Kashmiri, who has links to al-Qaeda, reportedly warned the
international community against sending athletes to compete in the hockey World Cup,
cricket's Indian Premier League and the Commonwealth Games.
But HA will forge ahead with plans to compete at the World Cup after receiving an
assessment from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on the security
situation in the country.
"They have advised that there has been no change to the threat environment in
India," HA said in a statement on Thursday.
"Hockey Australia will continue to follow security protocols in relation to the
players safety in India.
"However, at this stage there is no change in our plans to participate in the 2010
Hockey World Cup."
The Kookaburras are due to depart on Sunday but HA chief executive Mark Anderson
said there would be an ongoing assessment of the security situation in India.
"In line with Hockey Australia's process of assessing emerging threats and changing
conditions, should the current situation change, we would obviously reassess our
position," Anderson.
HA barred players from speaking about the situation to the media on Thursday.