Pakistan, India keen on reviving hockey series

Pakistan Sports Minister Shaukatullah has stressed on the need for the quick revival of bilateral hockey ties with India. The minister observed during a meeting with the president of the Pakistan Hockey Federation Qasim Zia that hockey series between Pakistan and India would be an essential tool for the progress and development of the sport in the region.

“It could also play a role of catalyst to minimize distance between the two countries and as well as increase people to people contact,” Shaukatullah said.

Qasim Zia and PHF secretary Asif Bajwa met with the minister to brief him on the progress made to revive hockey series with India. According to sources, the meeting was held on the directives of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani who is also chief patron of the hockey federation.

“The Prime Minister has directed the PHF and the sports ministry to find ways to revive hockey series with India on the lines of cricket as part of the ongoing goodwill process with the neighbouring country,” one ministry source said.

Qasim Zia told the minister that the PHF was keen to invite India later in the year for a Test series and matches could be played at Lahore, Karachi and Faisalabad. The PHF chief informed that talks were being held with their Indian counterparts as Pakistan was keen to play atleast a three-match series before the Champions Trophy which will be held in India in December.

Efforts are underway between the federations of the two countries, who have not played in a bilateral series since the 2008 Mumbai attacks, to play matches in both countries, Hockey India secretary Narinder Batra told Reuters on Wednesday.

“We are looking to play three matches in India and three in Pakistan if we receive government clearances,” Hockey India secretary Narinder Batra said on Wednesday. “Dialogues are ongoing but everything depends on permission from the governments. We are eyeing a period around the middle of August or the first week of September. It suits both our calendars.”