PHF all set for World XI tour, awards ceremony

KARACHI: The Pakistan Hockey Federation has finalised preparations for the World XI’s tour and the Hall of Fame awards ceremony to be held next month, ‘The News’ has learnt.
The PHF is waiting for the response of the countries whose players are to be part of the World XI. The visiting team will play three matches in Pakistan in the second week of January.PHF President Brigadier (r) Khalid Sajjad Khokhar, when contacted, said the Interior Ministry had issued a written NOC for the World XI’s tour to Pakistan and the Hall of Fame awards ceremony.
PHF sources said Australia’s Ric Charlesworth, Holland’s Paul Litjens and Floris Jan Bovelander, and Germany’s Christian Blunck were likely to be among those who would be honoured.Khokhar said the International Hockey Federation (FIH) had cooperated with the PHF to help it revive international hockey in Pakistan.
Informed sources said it has been planned that five foreign and five or more Pakistan hockey legends would get the awards.PHF Secretary Shahbaz Ahmed has convinced current stars to come and play in Pakistan. The PHF secretary said the success of the World XI visit would help in organising the Pakistan Hockey League (PHL) in April and May.
Sources in the PHF said it had contacted some famous players for the World XI and expected Jamie Dwyer and Glenn Turner of Australia, Tom Boon of Belgium, and Jeroen Hertzberger, Teun de Nooijer and Jaap Stockmann of Holland to make the trip.