India, Pakistan hail renewal of bilateral hockey ties

By N D Prashant/Doha

India and Pakistan hockey teams are thrilled with the news that bilateral ties between the two counties are set to resume.

Pakistan cricket team is already set to tour India from December 25th and this is a double delight for the sports lovers from both nations.

Pakistan is expected to tour India for a five-Test hockey series in March next year and later the Indian hockey team would visit Pakistan in May for another five-Test series.

“It is a fantastic move by both the federations. Hockey lovers around the world would love to see that. It will be huge boost for Asian hockey and for the development of the players. India and Pakistan have not played a Test series for a while now and if that’s going to happen, plenty of interest will be created,” said Indian coach Michael Nobbs.

Indian skipper Sardar Singh also welcomed the news saying, “It has been a long wait. Whenever we meet our Pakistani counterparts, we discuss about it and I’m sure they also will be thrilled to hear that. We have not played any series after 2006 and I’m sure fans from both the counties would love to see the series happen,” said Singh adding that, the teams share a good  camaraderie off the field and the political difference have never effected their relationships.

“We might be fierce rivals on the field but both teams respect each other and share a good bonding off the field. Hockey has helped us strengthen the bond over the years and such moves would definitely help. This will also help revive hockey on a whole in the entire region,” felt Singh.

Pakistan skipper Mohammed Imran also echoed the same sentiments as his rival captain saying, “This is the best thing to happen for hockey in both the countries. Fans have been waiting for such a tournament for long enough.

“These pressure matches will serve as a great learning curve for the youngsters. It will help them peak at a young age and that will be of great help when they go for major tournaments.”

Hockey India’s President Mariamma Koshy also hailed the revival saying, “It’s a very positive step for hockey. This is an indication that both federations are heading in the right direction with hockey on mind. The only way we can regain lost glory is by initiating such moves. I’m sure the series will be a big boost for the players and will also attract more players to the sport. The Hockey India league was one such initiative to help players and this would also do wonders for both sides,” said Koshy. 

Pakistan team manager Rasool Akhtar also felt that, it was high time for both nations to start playing against each other.

“One of the reasons for the dip in performance of our teams was because both nations were not playing against each other often.

“It took us six years to come to this decision and by then, the teams around the world have made giant strides. It is good that politics have taken the back seat and the sport has taken centre stage,” said Akhtar.

The last Indo-Pak hockey Test series, with three matches in each country, was held in early 2006.

Pakistan had won three matches, India had clinched one while two were drawn. The modalities of both the series would be sorted out in a joint meeting between Hockey India secretary-general Narinder Batra and Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) chief Asif Bajwa in Lahore on December 29.

“On the invitation of PHF I’m going to Pakistan for a two-day trip on December 29. During the meeting we will discuss the modalities of the resumption of bilateral hockey ties between the two nations,” Batra told India based agency PTI.