THE HAGUE: The International Hockey Federation (FIH) will be helping Pakistan in the resumption of international hockey on its soil, president Leandro Nagre said here on Saturday.

“We will be sending a strong FIH delegation to Pakistan later this year to meet the authorities and resolve different issues,” he told a group of reporters at the Kyocera Stadium where he was watching the World Cup matches. “There are some important issues to tackle there. It is not an easy task but we will do our best to resolve them,” said Negre.

“Because of these issues Pakistan cannot hold international events in Pakistan. But we can relocate them to other countries,” the FIH president said.

He said on the persuasion of Qasim Zia, the FIH has agreed that its delegation would spend several days in Pakistan to work out a comprehensive plan and meet the concerned authorities for resolving the problems.

He said he will be personally visiting Pakistan in October or November to meet the government and Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) officials and discuss remedial steps for start of bilateral series before holding international tournaments.

“We will be doing things step by step to resolve the issue and ensure that international hockey returns back to Pakistan,” said Negre.

He revealed that teams from Argentina, Poland and other countries are ready to visit Pakistan and FIH will further encourage them to do so.

Negre said Pakistan can also stage at an event in Dubai and invite teams from Australia and India and other countries who are ready to play in the United Arab Emirates. “FIH will fully support and assist that event,” he assured.

He said due to lack of international hockey, PHF facing a serious financial problems and FIH wanted to fully support them. He said four-time former champion Pakistan is being missed at the World Cup and they wanted to see their return to big events.

“We know what Pakistan has contributed in hockey, they are the pioneers of World Cup and Champions Trophy,” he recalled.

The FIH chief also defended the FIH Rule Board decision of introducing four-quarters of 60 minutes each in the game. “To cover-up the time, clock will be stopped during penalty corners, injury and celebration times,” he disclosed.

Published in Dawn, June 8th, 2014