Hockey: ‘Deteriorating’ turf to host China successfully say officials

Renovation work in Karachi likely to be finished in time.

KARACHI: The Hockey Club of Pakistan (HCP) officials are confident that the venue, one of Pakistan’s premier hockey venues, will be able to hold back-to-back matches against China next week despite losing its gloss.

The tourists will play four matches against Pakistan with the series kicking off in Karachi on December 21. Following a match on the following day at the same venue, Faisalabad and Lahore are scheduled to host the final two matches. It was feared that the deteriorating condition of the HCP, which has not hosted international matches since the 2004 Asia Cup, may affect the series.

The astro-turf that was laid in 2002 was termed ‘outdated’ by few officials while the stands looked out of shape and Sindh Home Minister Dr Mohammad Ali Shah, acting as the Chairman of Organising Committee for the series, calling it a ‘waste of national asset’.

The administration of the HCP, however, remained confident that the venue will be ready in time.

“Our preparations are on track,” Director Administration HCP Olympian Iftikhar Syed told The Express Tribune. “The renovation work is underway even during the night and the stadium will be ready by Sunday.”

The Olympian admitted that the turf was old but was quick to add that it was in a suitable condition to host international matches.

“The turf may be old but it’s still playable. Our senior and junior teams hold training camps here regularly and it is fit enough for international matches as well,” said Iftikhar before adding that the broken chairs in the stands were being replaced.

The security arrangements, according to Iftikhar, were monitored by the Sindh governor and the presence of ‘tight security and bomb disposal squads’ was also confirmed by Iftikhar.

This will be the first time Pakistan is hosting an international series since the 2004 Champions Trophy – that was held in Lahore – and with a view of bringing as big a crowd as possible, the Pakistan Hockey Federation has provided free entry to all the matches.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 16^th, 2011.