Pakistan-India hockey series imminent

Talks gather rounds after PHF meets with government officials.

LAHORE: Pakistan High Commissioner to India visited the Pakistan Hockey Federation’s (PHF) office in Lahore to meet the officials and discuss details of resuming bilateral ties between the two countries on the hockey field.

A three-match series was discussed, likely to be held later this year after the Champions Trophy.

Shahid Malik, the High Commissioner, met with the PHF President Qasim Zia and Secretary Asif Bajwa prior to his departure for Delhi to discuss the efforts underway between the two federations.“For some reason, the communication between both countries wasn’t going well in the past but now the relations are improving,” Malik told reporters after the meeting with the PHF officials. “Now, things have improved and it has been decided to revive the sports links that include hockey, cricket and other sports.

“In the meetings, I felt that both federations are ready to play and that’s the most important thing.

” The PHF president hoped that the meeting was a great step towards resumption of ties.

“The PHF and Hockey India were always ready to play but what was needed was the governments’ involvement and Malik has assured us that he will take up the point in India and we would play a series of three matches later this year.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 1^st, 2011.