Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik proposed three-match series against India
Pakistan’s federal Interior Minister, Senator A. Rehman Malik has proposed a three-match series with arch-rival India in order to step forward in revival of the past glory of the sport.
A delegation of the top brass of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) under the headship of President, Qasim Zia, and Secretary General, Asif Bajwa, held a meeting with the Federal Minister to discuss the matters pertaining to the bilateral series with neighbouring
country India.
It is vital to mention here that Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani directed the Interior Minister Rehman Malik to consider possibilities of the bilateral series in a bid to regain the past glory of the game.
After holding a meeting with the federation’s office bearers, Rehman Malik spoke with the media. He stated that they are working to hold a three-match series between Pakistan and India. He stated, “We are considering a three-match friendly hockey series between
the two countries in order to revive sporting ties with our neighbours.”
As per the proposals of the hockey federation, the matches will be hosted in different cities of Pakistan including Karachi, Lahore and Faisalabad amid tight security arrangements. The minister also affirmed that the fool-proof security would be provided
to the visiting team.
He further stated that he had also directed the Interior Secretary to make tight security measures during the bilateral hockey series. He stated, “I have directed the Interior Secretary Qamaruzzaman Chaudhry to ensure the best-possible security arrangements
are in place.”
The Pakistani Minister was of the opinion that he would also send an invitation to his counter-part, Indian Home Minister, Palaniappam Chidambaram to witness the series.
A clamour of rumours emerged in the media after the meeting, claiming that the federal minister has been appointed as Patron or President of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF). However, no officials, whether from the government or the federation, clarified
the situation in this regard.
The stalemate between the two countries on all the issues including sports was when Pakistani PM Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani, on the invitation of Indian counterpart, Dr. Manmohan Singh paid a visit to India to witness the ICC World Cup 2011 semi-final game
between the two arch-rivals, Pakistan and India.
After the talks resumed between the two countries, the hockey federations are thinking to host a vast range of bilateral series in the two counties or at the neutral venues. It is vital to mention here that Pakistan last faced India in the 2010 Asiad held
in Guangzhou, China, where India won the game by one score margin, 3-2.
Apart from the keen interest of the two countries’ federations and as well the masses. The chances of any hockey series in 2011 are limited due to tight schedule of both squads.
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