Karachi: Pakistan’s nine hockey players finally received Indian visas after initially having been denied of it ahead of the Hockey India League, which begins in New Delhi from 14th January.

However, the Indian embassy denied that it deprived the players of Indian visas for the championship and said that it received the passports late from the courier service if the dispatching time has been quoted correctly in the media.

The players were expecting visas Wednesday but had to cancel their flight at the eleventh hour after not receiving their visas.

But now the Indian embassy has issued visas to the players.

The Pakistani players Muhammad Irfan, Imran Butt, Rizwan Junior, Rashid Mahmud, Farid Ahmed, Muhammad Tausiq, Shafqat Rasool, Rashid Shah and Rizwan Senior are scheduled to leave for the Indian capital from Lahore on Saturday.

Five city-based franchised teams – Delhi Wave riders, Jaypee Punjab Warriors, Uttar Pardesh Wizards, Mumbai Magicians and Ranchi Rhinos, featuring local as well as foreign players will be seen into action during the tournament. International Hockey Federation (FIH) has sanctioned the league.