The Pakistan Hockey Federation discussed all the security arrangements for the successful holding of the Chinese hockey team’s tour with government officials here on Monday. The meeting was held at the conference room of the PHF offices and was attended by PHF president, secretary, government and law-enforcing agencies. Pakistan will welcome the Chinese hockey team for a four-match series this month, keen to encourage international sport back to the terror-hit country. Foreign teams have avoided Pakistan since gunmen attacked the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore in March 2009, killing eight people and wounding seven visiting players and their assistant coach. For years before that, western teams were reluctant to tour Pakistan, worried about security after the 9/11 attacks and the 2001 US-led invasion of neighbouring Afghanistan. Pakistan last hosted top hockey event in the 2004 Champions Trophy. The PHF said the Chinese tour was significant. Pakistan last hosted top hockey in the 2004 Champions Trophy.
“It will help in resuming international hockey ties on Pakistani soil and we eagerly look forward to it,” said secretary Asif Bajwa. The PHF said it had requested water-tight security. China will play their opening match in Karachi on December 21, with further matches in Karachi on December 22, Faisalabad on December 24 and Lahore on December 25. “Our major focus is to bring international hockey back to Pakistan and we are thankful to the Chinese Hockey Federation for supporting our cause, and this will be on a reciprocal basis as we will tour them next year,” said Bajwa. Hockey is Pakistan’s national sport. Pakistan has won three Olympic and four world titles, but apart from the Asian title in 2010, Pakistan has fared badly in recent years. They finished eighth, their worst-ever, in the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and 12th and last in the World Cup held in India last year. Pakistan also finished a poor seventh in the eight-team Champions Trophy, which finished in New Zealand on Sunday.
Chief Minister Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif will be the chief guest on the final match of the series to be played at National Hockey Stadium, Lahore on December 25.