LAHORE – Interior Minister Rehman Malik has been appointed Patron of the Pakistan Hockey Federation, it was announced on Tuesday. Malik has been asked to work on the revival of bilateral series with India. It has been learnt that Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Giullani, who is the chief patron of the Pakistan hockey, in his talks with his Indian counterpart Mammohan Singh, agreed for the revival of the ties and efforts are being made to resume relations through the national sport. Reports said that the Prime Minister issued directives to rope in Rehman Malik for the revival of hockey series.
After Malik’s appointment, the PHF has got more political heavyweights than cricket as its chief patron is the Prime Minister himself and its President Qasim Zia is also a Parliamentarian. The appointment of Malik came in a high level meeting held at Islamabad. After the meeting, PHF president Qasim Zia also met Federal Minister for Sports Engr. Shaukat Ullah at his office in order to discuss issues related to the revival of past glory of hockey. PHF Secretary General Asif Bajwa was also present in the meeting.
While shedding light on the resumption of Pakistan and India hockey series, the Minister said that hockey was the national sport and the series between Pakistan and India would help develop sports in the region. It could also play the role of a catalyst to reduce distances between the two countries. Qasim and Bajwa after Malik’s appointment, also discussed the modalities of a proposed of hockey series with India.
“To start with, we would opt for a three-match series,” said Malik. The matches are likely to be played in Lahore while fool-proof security arrangements would be made for the visiting Indian team. He further stated that Interior Secretary Qamar-uz Zaman Chaudhry has been asked to ensure highest level of security arrangements. He further said that invitation will also be extended to Indian home minister Palaniappam Chidambaram to come and watch one of the matches. Talks resumed between Pakistan and India on the eve of the World Cup semi-final and talks are also underway for the resumption of cricket.
Pakistan last played a hockey match against India during the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games which Pakistan lost 3-2. The sporting ties were frozen following the 2008 Mumbai terror attack. Bajwa said that the federations on both sides of the border do not have any issues among themselves and all they need is approval from both the governments.
