The Pakistan Hockey Federation has taken the federal and provincial governments in confidence for providing foolproof security for the Pakistan and China hockey series.The Chinese hockey team will reach Pakistan on December 20 and will play three-match test series at Karachi, Faisalabad and Lahore. The series is being seen as a step forward for the revival of international teams to Pakistan. akistan became a no-go area after the Sri Lankan cricket team was attacked by terrorists at Liberty Chowk in March 2009. The PHF sees the Chinese team’s visit an opening of new horizon for Pakistan sports. PHF President Qasim Zia said: “The tour of China hockey team to Pakistan will open the new horizon and help in brining international tournaments back to the country.”
He further informed that he had a detailed meeting with the Sindh government officials and have also met Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif. “I met Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif to give details of the team’s stay here and discussed the security arrangements for the visitors. We also discussed the matters regarding promotion of game in the province,” the PHF chief said. He further said that for the provision of foolproof security, he has talked to Intelligence Bureau, Home Ministry and Chief Secretary and asked them to manage all the security arrangements of the series befittingly.
“I also asked the CM Punjab to assure infallible security for the visiting team and he, responding positively, assured me the best-possible security arrangements for Chinese team and ordered the concerned officials to complete all the security measurement in the province,” he added.