Hockey India hints at delaying bilateral series

New government needs to settle down first, says official.

KARACHI: While the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) is trying its best to kick-start bilateral hockey series with India this year, Hockey India (HI) is hardly optimistic about the timing and feels it would be better to hold the event in 2015 between the two neighbouring nations.

“We will try our best to organise the series this year but it’s doubtful,” a top HI official told The Express Tribune. “I feel whatever happens will happen next year, as the new government needs time to settle down before taking such important decisions.”

Both the PHF and HI had decided to hold the series in March-April, but it was postponed later because of the delay in getting permission from their respective governments.

HI Secretary General Dr Narinder Batra then said that the body would request permission for the trip after the country’s new government was formed following the general elections in India.

On the other hand, PHF President Akhtar Rasool and Secretary Rana Mujahid announced separate dates for the bilateral series.

According to reports, Rasool said the Indian team would arrive in Lahore on June 19 for the three-match series, while Mujahid announced their counterparts would reach Karachi on June 30.

Despite repeated attempts, both officials could not be approached for their comments on HI’s stance.

The archrivals last played a bilateral hockey series in 2006, when each side hosted three matches each. Pakistan won three and lost one, while the remaining two were drawn.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 27^th, 2014.

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