PHF targets Olympics, World Cup titles

Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) will to arrange series against Egypt.

LAHORE: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has set the 2012 London Olympics and the 2014 World Cup as the next targets after the federation’s Executive Board and Congress meeting took place at the National Hockey Stadium.

The PHF also added that Egypt will tour Pakistan in March besides a host of other international assignments that were planned for the national squad.

The PHF Secretary Asif Bajwa said that Pakistan’s first aim was the Asian Games before the team could target the global event and the Olympics.

“We targeted supremacy in Asia and we’ve accomplished that,” said Bajwa. “Our next target is the podium of the London Olympics.” Bajwa also said that since the federation was facing a deficit of Rs3 billion, the government will grant the funds. According to the secretary, Michel van den Heuvel will carry on as coach until the Olympics after signing a two-year agreement.

Busy calendar

Bajwa said that Pakistan will tour Egypt in February before the country pays a return visit in March.“We’re emphasising on the international exposure and the plan is to arrange a series against Egypt,” added Bajwa. “The dates and number of matches will be finalised in due course.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 29^th, 2010.