Pakistan Hockey Federation will host two international tournaments in Pakistan next year
Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has announced that they will host two international events in 2012. It is the result of consistent efforts that PHF has been making for a long period to help revive international hockey in the country. Some PHF representatives
have had meetings with numerous hockey federations across the world and are hopeful that Malaysia will visit Pakistan this year.
The news was announced by the PHF Secretary, Asif Bajwa, while he was talking to media representatives at the National Hockey Stadium Lahore on Thursday. He is back after touring Malaysia where he represented PHF in the Asian Hockey Federation meeting which
was held for to finalise 2012 hockey calendar.
Mr. Bajwa stated that a three-member Malaysian team will be in Pakistan to observe the safety measures in Pakistan prior to the expected tour of the Malaysian side in the current year. Mr. Asif Bajwa also revealed that in 2012, two international tournaments
will be playing in Pakistan, which is a pleasing sign for Pakistan hockey. Furthermore, Asian Club Hockey Championship and Indoor Asia Hockey Cup will be held in Lahore and Islamabad respectively this year.
As the hockey federations of Pakistan and their rivals India are in regular contact with each other and the Pakistan High Commission has scheduled a meeting with the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) to resolve certain issues. The meetings may result in a hockey
series between the two countries. The possible dates for the series will be in September or Novemebr.
Mr. Bajwa also stated that International Hockey Federation has allowed Indian Hockey Federation to organize and conduct a hockey league of an international level. He also explained that PHF will not stop any player from participating in the newly formed
league. He believes that the league will provide the players with international experience and financial gain. Meanwhile, it will help in bringing the two countries closer.
He seemed very happy with the performance of the players in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Hockey Tournament which was recently played in Malaysia just a week ago. He was also very confident of improvements from their recent performance prior to the 2012 Olympic
Games, which are going to be held in London in next year.
“If players continue playing like this then we will achieve our set targets in near future,” Mr. Bajwa further stated with Olympic gold on his mind.
Tags: