Hockey tour to Pakistan cleared

India are expected to send their second string side to Pakistan after the government gave Hockey India (HI) a green signal to send a team for the three-nation tournament in Lahore next month.

This is the first time the national team will travel to Pakistan since the 2004 Champions Trophy. Pakistan Hockey Federation secretary Asif Bajwa said in a statement that both India and Malaysia have confirmed participation in the tournament. The PHF was hoping either South Africa or Argentina to be the fourth team in the tournament. However, they did not receive confirmation from the two nations.

HI, meanwhile, is expected to conduct selection trials on March 16 and 17. “This tour is one of many that have been lined up before the Olympics. We want the young players to get some exposure,” an HI official told DNA.