LAHORE, Sept 19: Following requests by the Pakistan and Indian hockey federations, the dates for the Asian Champions Trophy, which will be held in Doha, have been shifted from Dec 14 to 22 to Dec 20 to 27 by the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF).

PHF secretary Asif Bajwa told reporters at the National Hockey Stadium here on Wednesday that the six-day extension will help the Pakistan team to recover from the fatigue they will suffer in the Champions Trophy which will be held in Melbourne from Dec 1 to 9.

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) included Pakistan and India in the Champions Trophy as they increased the number of teams in the event from six to eight.

Bajwa added that he has also requested the Asian body to also defer the Asian Indoor Hockey Championship from Nov 18 to Dec 27.

The indoor event is to be hosted by the PHF at Liaqat Gymnasium, Islamabad, but still the blue surface has not yet been imported by the government.—Sports Reporter