Pakistan has proposed a three-nation hockey tournament on annual basis involving Germany and The Netherlands from next year, a Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) official said Thursday.
Germany, the European champions, had given thumbs up to the idea floated by Pakistan, a PHF official said and added a word from the world and Olympic champions The Netherlands was awaited.
“Although the proposal is in early stage, the German officials have shown keenness for the proposed series which will be finalized after a final word from the Netherlands,” secretary of the PHF, Brig Musaratullah, said from Lahore.
The PHF had proposed to have the series either in Pakistan or in the other two countries, the official said. However, the venue would be decided later on the availability if the series was hosted byPakistan, he added.
“The PHF wants to have longer hockey relationship with both the European countries and it has been proposed to have the series on annual basis for five years,”
“The idea was also discussed at the executive committee meeting of the German hockey federation held during the recently concluded four-nation in Hamburg,” the secretary, who returned Thursday after touring Hamburg and Brussels, said.
The PHF official said the Germans were keen to send their second string for the series in place of their senior side in case of a hectic schedule.
Germany is among the four countries which has bid for hosting next year’s Champion Trophy after the withdrawal of Belgium because of financial problems.
“The Germans might be busy next year if awarded the Champions Trophy to be organized in August. But they are willing to send even their second string to play against their Pakistani counterparts,” the officials said.
Nevertheless, the PHF is hoping to have the series in the second quarter of next year.
The PHF official said positive signs had also been received from across the border in response to a proposal of another tri-nation series which involves India and Olympic silver medallists South Korea.
“The Indian officials have given positive response and are also willing to initiate the series but want a European outfit rather than an Asian side,” he said.
The Korean federation would also be contacted to confirm their availability for the proposed series which would be an annual feature if materialized, he said.
The secretary PHF said the basic theme behind both the series was to give Pakistan team a taste of both European and Asian style of hockey on regular basis.
The series would be in addition to the Pakistan-Indian series in Dubai for which Pakistan has given its availability in February.
“If the Dubai series goes ahead as planned then the three- nation involving India and Korea might be instituted from 2003,” the official said.