Indo-Pak hockey series to be revived

Karachi:

Pakistan and Indian Hockey Federations have reached an agreement to revive bilateral Test series of their junior and senior teams in November and December.

Pakistan Hockey Federation Secretary Asif Bajwa said the Indian junior team will visit Pakistan next month to play five tests while their senior team will come in December for six matches.

"The final dates and venues would be confirmed by the end of this month. Then our teams will pay return visits to India for Test series," he said.

"The idea behind reviving bilateral series is to allow both countries to groom new players and also work on their weaknesses and strengths," he added.

Bajwa said the public interest in the Indo-Pak hockey matches would also allow both the federations to boost themselves financially.

Pakistan is taking part in a four-nation international tournament involving Germany and Holland in India from January 31 to February 8 in Chandigarh and Jallandhar.

Bajwa said the PHF has started concerted efforts to revive its influential position in the International Hockey Federation and Asian Hockey Federation whose congresses are due to be held in next three months.

"We need to get into the FIH and AHF to convince European teams to tour Pakistan and play international matches," he said.