The Pakistan Hockey
Federation (PHF) has received the much-needed go-ahead from its government to
conduct a hockey Test series against India later this year. Sources in PHF say
the federation has got the green signal from the government to host India for a
Test series and is now awaiting Hockey India to respond.
The PHF has also been assured of all financial assistance by the government for the proposed Test series, which is likely to be held on a home and away basis.
Hockey India, on its part, will have to secure government permission to play against Pakistan and given President Nawaz Sharif’s visit to India for newly-elected Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s swearing-in-ceremony, getting the go-ahead may not be that difficult.
It may be worth recalling that the last hockey series between the two nations was held in 2006 with three matches played in each country. For the stats-minded Pakistan won three and lost one while the remaining two games were drawn.
Only last year, a hockey series was planned but called off as the Indian government refused permission for the rubber on security grounds.
Once a dominant force in
the international arena, Pakistan failed to qualify for the 2014 World Cup for
the first time, leaving the sport in the country at a low ebb.
The writer can be
contacted at: suhridbarua@gmail.com
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