Hockey India accept Pak invite

By Mihir Vasavda | Place: Mumbai | Agency: DNA

The Indian hockey team couldbe touring Pakistan in April after eight years if it gets the necessary clearance from the government.
Hockey India has accepted an invitation from Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) for a four-nation tournament in Lahore, which will also include Malaysia. The fourth team will be South Africa or Argentina.

The last time an Indian team travelled to Pakistan was in 2004 for the Champions Trophy. “Yes, we have accepted the invitation. We’re now waiting for a clearance from the government,” Hockey India secretary general Narendra Batra told DNA.

The Indian and Pakistani federations have been working hard to resume the bilateral series on a home and away basis. But it did not materialise. However, with Pakistan already in the Olympics and India looking setto book a berth, both counties feel match-practice would be crucial. “We will be very happy if the Indian team comes here. The last time they came here was eight years ago though we have been to India for various tournaments.

It will be a big boost for both the countries,” PHF secretary Asif Bajwa told this paper. “It will be a three-or-four-nation tournament. We are awaiting response from South Africa and Argentina.”