The start of the Invitational 5-Nation International Hockey tournament is expected to be delayed by three days.

The tournament, scheduled to start from September 27, will now begin on September 30 if the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) does not object to the deferment.

"We have taken the decision to honour the request of the sports minister," said Bangladesh Hockey Federation's (BHF) general secretary Shamsul Bari yesterday.

Bari explained that BHF president Air Vice Marshal Fakhrul Azam will be abroad from September 1829 and. Therefore the State Minister for Youth and Sports Fazlur Rahman has requested the BHF to shift the date to facilitate Azam's presence.

"We can not take the decision unless the AHF gives its permission. We have informed them of our wish and expecting a reply soon," said Bari.

He also informed that the BHF will bear the expenses of the foreign teams' extra stay in Dhaka.

Oman are expected in Dhaka on September 9 and they will play three warm-up matches against Bangladesh Navy, Army and BKSP. Afghanistan, Iran and Myanmar will reach by September 26.

Meanwhile, the BHF has decided to send the Bangladesh Under-17 team to the Nehru Junior Hockey tournament to be held in Delhi from October 25 from November 1.