KARACHI, Sept 5: Pakistan will organize a junior international hockey tournament at Lahore from Dec 1 to 4, secretary, Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Brig. (Retd.) Mussartullah Khan said on Friday.

“We are keen to bring international hockey activity back to Pakistan,” he declared.

He said PHF extended invitations to Germany, Holland, Korea, China, Japan, Malaysia and some other countries but Germany and Holland had regretted to participate in the event. Confirmation from other countries was awaited.

PHF secretary said that he would be talking to officials of some Asian countries about their participation in junior event during the forthcoming meeting of Asian Federation (AHF) umpiring committee.

He expressed his satisfaction over the progress made by the junior team during their recent European tour.

He said it was important for us that we have to show International Hockey Federation (FIH) and other countries that there was no security problem in Pakistan.

Mussarrat said this showed that climate was conducive for conducting international sporting event. This will also create healthy atmosphere for next year’s Champions Trophy in Lahore.—APP