Leandro Negre, the president of FIH, issued the warning during a visit to inspect preparations for the event, which is due to be held in March 2010.

 

There are growing fears over whether the Indian city will be ready to host the Commonwealth Games in October 2010 because they are so far behind with building the venues and the infrastructure.

 

There are also concerrns among many countries over security following the terrorist attacks in Mumbai last November and on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore in Feburary.

 

Indian officials have assured the FIH that infrastructure and stadiums will be in place before the tournament.

 

Negre said: "Security is not only our problem but an international problem.

 

"We want security for the players, officials and delegation members.

 

"By October all should be settled, so we can test out before the World Cup in March."

 

But another threat hanging over the tournament is the Indian Olympic Association's (IOA) failure to put an elected federation in place.

 

Negre said: “We very much want World Cup to be held in India.

 

"But there are certain FIH guidelines which need to be followed.

 

"We have asked them to have a unique body [Hockey India, a federation to represent both men’s and women’s hockey in the country] in place before World Cup.

 

"It is essential, or else we have a Plan B in place.

 

"Just in case we need [to], Malaysia is prepared."
 

IOA secretary general Randhir Singh has said a new set-up would be in place in six months.