ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s former hockey player and Olympian Khawaja Mohammad Junaid on Monday advised the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) to follow in the footsteps of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and arrange for neutral venues for international competitions featuring the national side.

“Like PCB, the hockey federation should also consider neutral venues until international hockey is revived in the country,” Junaid said while hailing the nomination of Brigadier (retd.) Khalid Sajjad Khokhar for the office of the chief of the hockey’s governing body.

“There are several neutral venues such as Malaysia, China, Abu Dhabi and Dubai where matches could be arranged with foreign teams,” the Olympian, who also served as Pakistan’s coach during 2010-12, said.

Junaid added that Dubai was the most suitable site to host home matches as it had “excellent infrastructure and facilities” and there were better opportunities for the PHF to find sponsors.

Junaid, who won bronze with Pakistan at the 1992 Olympics, said the federation should focus on inviting Asian teams to the country until the Europeans remained hesitant.

“I think China, Korea, Malaysia, Bangladesh or any other FIH affiliated outfit can be easily persuaded to visit Pakistan. This will be good for Pakistan hockey.

“It will not only end the drought of hosting international level hockey events in the country but also revitalise our youngsters' interest towards the national game,” he said.

In response to a question, the former coach said that Khokhar was fully aware of hockey's ups and downs and expected “prudent” decisions from him.

“Khokhar is a wise man. He has full knowledge of hockey and I'm sure under him Pakistan hockey is going to flourish,” Junaid said.

In order to improve the state of hockey, the 49-year-old suggested that the new PHF chief work simultaneously on short, medium and long term plans.

“The federation should [also] engage in talks with various departments and organisations and try to get jobs for at least 200 budding players so that they may feel secure and focus on their game only,” said Junaid.