The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Secretary Asif Bajwa also said that plans are underway to invite foreign teams to tour the country that is starved of international action due to the security situation.
“Over 30 countries would participate in the World Series that would be hosted in Pakistan in 2013,” said Bajwa. “We’re also in talks with five to six other countries in order to organise a bilateral series here and hopefully international hockey would return to Pakistan next year.”
Pakistan have not hosted any foreign teams since 2007 when the Champions Trophy was moved away due to safety concerns. The last time the country hosted a major event was in 2004 when the same event was held in Lahore.
‘Seniors not to be rejected’
Bajwa also dismissed the notion that senior players would be removed from the team after the ongoing Asian Games.
Seniors, including striker Shakeel Abbasi, protested after chief selector Hanif Khan hinted at their removal after the continental event, irrespective of the results.
“It’s a wrong impression. We have not decided anything on the removal of our senior players,” said Bajwa. “We are just focusing on winning a gold medal at the Asian Games.”
Published in The Express Tribune, November 16th, 2010.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ