07 July 2004	Wednesday	18 Jamadi-ul-Awwal 1425

ISLAMABAD, July 6: Pakistan has invited India to play a three- nation soccer tournament in the country in October, it was officially learnt on Tuesday. However, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) wants the tournament to be rescheduled for January next year since its team would be busy in World Cup qualifiers in October.

Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) is considering the Indian request and a final decision may be announced in the next few days, besides finalising the host city of the tournament in which the United Arab Emirates will be the third country to participate.

According to details, AIFF secretary Alberto Colaco said that the PFF had invited them to participate in this international tournament but added that they had requested them to postpone the tournament till January next year.

"We have requested them to reschedule the tournament for January end, 2005. We are yet to get a reply but hope it will be in the positive. We have just sent the reply and besides there is a lot of time," Colaco was quoted as saying. He added it would be great if soccer ties could be revived between the two countries on a regular basis. -APP