Concerned over security, Kiwi striker Simon Child has pulled out of the hockey World Cup starting Sunday, even though Hockey New Zealand (HNZ) said it was satisfied with the arrangements made by the Indian government.

Child said he took the decision because he felt he could not give his best under such heightened security environment during the February 28-March 13 mega-event. "It's not an ideal environment to be trying to play your best hockey and to be performing for your country," he was quoted as saying from Perth by the New Zealand Press Association, a new agency here.