The brewing tension between India and Pakistan over ceasefire violations at the LoC today spilled over to the sporting arena with Hockey India deciding to send Pakistani hockey players recruited for Mumbai Magicians back to their own country. After Shiv Sena protests in Mumbai forced the team to shift training base to Delhi, Hockey India decided to play safe and took the decision. A Hockey India official said that after discussions with all the franchises and the Pakistan Hockey Federation, the consensus was that it was best if the Pakistani players returned to Pakistan. That would also spare them the mental stress of competing under such strenuous circumstances, the official added.
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