Hockey: Youngsters to be tried against China

Federation anticipates revival of sporting activities in Pakistan.

KARACHI: Pakistan will host China for a four-match series this month in a bid to encourage the staging of international sports in the country.

Pakistan, deprived of international action since a gun attack targeted the Sri Lankan team in March 2009, last hosted a major hockey event in 2004 when they staged the Champions Trophy. The series has been termed significant by the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF).

“It will help in resuming international hockey ties on Pakistani soil and we eagerly look forward to it,” said PHF Secretary Asif Bajwa.

Meanwhile, the PHF Chief Selector Hanif Khan said the time is right for the coach to rest senior players for the series that begins on December 21 in Karachi. According to Khan, new players should be tried in the aftermath of the dismal Champions Trophy show where Pakistan finished seventh in the eight-team contest.

“It’s a good opportunity for us to test younger players before the Olympics,” Khan told The Express Tribune. “Some youngsters didn’t make it to the team for the Champions Trophy.”

Karachi will host the first two matches on December 21 and 22 with the third taking place in Faisalabad on December 24 and the final match in Lahore on December 25.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 13^th, 2011.