PHF mulls over options after series against India postponed

The PHF is disappointed after their plans of reviving international hockey faced continuous setbacks.

KARACHI:

Desperate to get much-needed international exposure, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) is mulling over options to arrange fixtures with Malaysia or China following the postponement of next month’s series against India.

According to details, the three-match series between the arch-rivals that was to be played in Dubai has been delayed after a request by the Indian Hockey Federation, which is facing a court case on their internal hockey affairs.

The top PHF officials, who are seeking maximum exposure for the team ahead of the 2012 London Olympics, expressed disappointed at the postponement.

“It is really disappointing especially after the postponement of the series against Egypt,” PHF’s Associate Secretary Rana Mujahid told The Express Tribune.

“Our team needs to play more against foreign teams but things are not going our way.”

Pakistan, after winning the gold medal in the Asian Games in China last November, are yet to feature in an international match after the bilateral series against Egypt, scheduled for last month, was also cancelled.

Pakistan’s next international assignment is the Azlan Shah Cup, to be held in Malaysia in May, but the federation is eyeing a series before the tournament.

“We are looking at other options to play a series against China, Malaysia or some other country before the Azlan Shah Cup,” said the official adding the proposal will be finalised in the Executive Board meeting.

“We will definitely discuss and prepare a plan for some alternate series in the board meeting on March 16.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 15^th, 2011.