PHF trying to arrange junior team’s series against Japan, Korea

KARACHI: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) is in talks with Japan and South Korea hockey federations to arrange junior team’s bilateral series against the nations, ‘The News’ learnt on Wednesday.

According to an informed source, the federation has high expectations from the junior team and hopes that in future they will be able to restore the glorious image of Pakistan hockey.

“With just over five months left in the Junior Asia Cup 2020, the PHF is trying to arrange as many international matches for the junior team as possible. The federation is making efforts to organise bilateral series against Japan, South Korea and also against some other teams,” he said.

“The series would be arranged before the Junior Asia Cup,” he hoped. The Junior Asia Cup 2020 will be held in Bangladesh in June. “The PHF is also trying to organise tri-nation series with Japan or South Korea that could also involve New Zealand,” he said.

After the conclusion of the two-week training camp, the short-listed junior players will face the national senior team to gain some experience and test their temperament.

The Junior Asia Cup 2020 will also serve as qualifying round for next year’s Junior Hockey World Cup 2021, with the four semi-finalists of the Asia Cup to secure entry into World Cup.

Apart from China, Pakistan will be facing tough opponents like India, South Korea, Malaysia and Japan at the Asia Cup.

Meanwhile, it was also learnt that the PHF is committed to organising the Pakistan Hockey League (PHL) by the end of this year despite financial hurdles. Top officials of the PHF have also contacted private conglomerates in Karachi and Lahore in order to secure sponsorship for the hockey league.