Talks on to revive India-Pakistan series: Hockey India

NEW DELHI: Hockey federations of India and Pakistan are in talks to revive the bilateral series, subject to the clearance of both governments, a senior Indian hockey official said on Tuesday.

Hockey India (HI) secretary Narendra Batra said that both federations are keen to renew the hockey ties between the two countries.

“But it is not in our hands. It can happen only if the government gives the go ahead. We will soon put the proposal before the government,” Batra said.

Batra said he has spoken to his counterpart in Pakistan Hockey Federation Mohammad Asif Bajwa and initiated the process.

The development happened after the high-profile World Cup cricket semifinal between India and Pakistan at Mohali last month, he added.

It was Pakistan cricket team’s first visit to India after the Mumbai attacks. The Pakistan hockey team toured India twice last year for the World Cup in March and then the Commonwealth Games in October.

Batra said if the government gives the clearance, they will take the next step of looking into the schedule to slot the series.

“We have to check with the schedule of both the countries and decide.”