India- Pakistan camp in Ipoh disappointed on Series cancellation
Ipoh, 15 March 2013: The cancellation of the India-Hockey series scheduled to start from April 5 this year came as a shock to the players and officials of India and Pakistan, who are taking part in the Sultan Azlan Shah hockey tournament here on Friday.
The 10-match series to be held in both the countries at different venues to provide a chance for the Asian giants to meet frequently is said to be rejected by the External Affairs Ministry of the Government of India.
Indian coach Michael Nobbs said: “It is very sad to hear the news. India and Pakistan provide high quality of hockey and the public around the world are willing to watch these games. The Indo-Pak series is always a platform for Asian brand of hockey and everyone will be missing it, if the tour is cancelled.”
Pakistan manager and former great Akthar Rasool was having a chat with the Indian coach and the players at the Gala dinner hosted by Sultan Azlan Shah and he hoped that the series is only postponed.
“I wish it is only a postponement and not cancellation. I always said that India and Pakistan should play more matches. The 10-match series would have done wonders for our game and also to build the confidence among the teams,’’ he said.
“When was the president of the Pakistan Hockey Federation, my first job was to start talks with the then Indian Hockey Federation chief, KPS Gill, to start the series. We lost no time to start the friendly series after a long time. It was in 1998. The two countries need more exposure which will help them revive their hockey tradition,’’ he added.
“I feel the governments should keep politics aside and let the series go on,’’ was his parting shot.
Pakistan skipper Muhammad Imran said: “It is very disappointing to learn that the series is cancelled.”