Pakistan Hockey Federation seeks government's NOC for the Indian Four-Nation tournament: Hockey News
Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) yesterday, on July 18, confirmed the men national team’s participation in the Four-Nation hockey tournament that is to be held in September in India.
Upon acceptance of the invitation, the PHF Secretary admitted the fact that it will only be possible if the government allows the Greenshirts to play the tournament. Therefore, PHF applied for a NOC from the government and is
waiting for the green signal.
PHF Secretary, Muhammad Asif Bajwa, stated, “We are waiting for the outcome of our request (for getting NOC) and as soon as we get a reply from the Government we will announce team’s participation.”
The two-legged tournament will be played among Pakistan, New Zealand, Argentina and the host, India, from September 19 to 26. The first leg will be carried out in Chandigarh, whereas the second leg will take place at Jalandhar,
India.
Greenshirts have recently returned home from their European tour that was partly successful, but when asked by the PHF’s Secretary, he expressed his satisfaction with the overall team’s performance.
According to the former Olympian, the team has achieved what it was sent for which was to give experience and international exposure to the young players. Keeping in view the ultimate destiny, 2012 London Olympics, the team brace itself with new innovation,
technology and diversified exposure for attaining their target.
He added that the team’s performance was reviewed and work shall be done in order to prepare the team well for the future. He believed that the team went through a very tough time in Europe, considering the opponent teams’ international
standings.
The PHF’s official concluded his talk by saying, “We still have good time left with us to continue our preparations for Olympics and we have left our option opened for the selection and we will consider senior and junior players
for our final line up for Olympics, based on their performance and fitness.”
Currently, the team will begin its preparation from August 10, at a training camp for September’s Champions Trophy in China.
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