RAWALPINDI, May 5: Gen Muhammad Aziz Khan said on Monday that Pakistan was willing to play India anywhere and it was a “standing offer” to them.

“We have already offered the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) that we are ready to play even in a third country and it is now up to them to respond,” the Pakistan hockey chief told journalists in Rawalpindi.

“We are keen on playing them because it is the artistic hockey of the subcontinent that is suffering.”

Pakistan and India have not played a regular series for some years now but with the political leaders of both countries taking confidence building steps towards normalisation of ties, revival of hockey all of a sudden seems quite likely.

Aziz also spoke about Pakistan’s success in the recent Azlan Shah Tournament in Ipoh, Malaysia and the forthcoming Champions Trophy in Holland. “We have made a humble beginning and if the team continues with this spirit, we are certainly marching towards bigger objectives.”

About the financial health of the Pakistan Hockey Federation, he said that they had just enough money to cover for the team’s international travel etc. “We recently signed a one-year sponsorship deal worth Rs 10 million with National Bank and we will keep looking elsewhere for more.”

Meanwhile he denied that former Pakistan fullback Khalid Bashir had been appointed to train the defenders without consulting chief coach Shahnaz Shaikh. “No decision has been taken yet and whatever has been said is in anticipation.”