India hockey assures PHF full support
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
KARACHI: India?s hockey officials have ?ensured? Pakistan their full support in a bid to enhance bilateral hockey ties, a week after the Indian junior team was stopped by its government from crossing the border to feature in an eagerly-awaited Test series here from November 11-21.
In a letter received by Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) secretary Asif Bajwa, Aslam Sher Khan ? convener of the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) ? regretted the cancellation of the series while hoping that the two countries will work together for the greater cause of promoting hockey in the region.
?We sincerely regret that our U-21 men?s team could not come to play the Test series in Pakistan for reasons beyond our control,? wrote Aslam, a former Olympian.?However, we would like to once again assure you of our fullest cooperation in enhancing our bilateral hockey ties.
?We look forward to meeting up during the FIH congress at Los Angles later his month,? he added referring to the International Hockey Federation (FIH) Congress which will be attended by top hockey officials from all over the globe.
The Indian juniors were scheduled to play five Tests in various cities of Pakistan. The PHF had made all possible arrangements for the series at a cost of Rs 6 million. But it received a rude shock when the Indian government blocked its junior team?s visit to Pakistan at the last minute, citing security concerns.
Meanwhile, the PHF is making all out arrangements for the successful hosting of an exhibition match between the national senior team and Pakistan juniors. The match will be played under floodlights at the National Hockey Stadium in Lahore on November 21.