PHF’s planned Pakistan Day event faces opposition

The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has planned to organise three matches in connection with Pakistan Day celebrations in Lahore but the plan is facing opposition from a group within the federation, who wants to hold five-a-side matches instead, 

“The PHF wants to hold three matches under floodlights in Lahore to commemorate the 23rd March. The plan has also been approved by secretary Shahbaz Ahmed. But a group now wants five-a-side matches to be organised, which has caused some differences within the PHF to develop,” he said.

“The plan to hold these three matches was finalised long time ago. It cannot be changed now as all the preparations have been made and invitations cards are also ready to be dispatched,” he added.

He said that five-a-side event could be held some other time as the schedule for these three matches had long been decided and could not be changed now.

The officials of director domestic and development department of the PHF have been instructed to organise the three-match event.

The first match is scheduled to be played between PHF XI and Punjab Sports Board XI. The second match is to be contested by Former Olympians versus National Juniors and Seniors XI. The third match would be played between women teams of Arfa Karim XI and Malala XI.

Meanwhile, the PHF has finalised the schedule of matches between national senior and junior teams which are currently busy in training camps for Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Tournament and Junior Hockey World Cup 2016, respectively.

The matches would be played on March 28 in Sargodha, March 29 in Khoshab and March 31 in Lahore.

(Source: The News)