ISLAMABAD: The Pak­istan Hockey Federation (PHF) has finalized Glasgow as venue for the International Hockey Federation (FIH) Home and Away League which is expected to be staged in 2019.

PHF secretary Shahbaz Ahmed Sr said the federation wants Pakistan to be a part of the league as to improve the sport in the country.

“We have also informed the FIH about the move,” he said. “FIH league would provide opportunities for Pakistan players to compete with international players and groom their skills in European conditions.”He said a number of countries, including Australia, Germany, USA, Argentina, Belgium, England, India, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain, China, Italy and Malaysia are interested in becoming part of the FIH League alongside Pakistan.

“This league would help revive hockey in Pakistan. We won’t improve a lot without competing with European teams and this league will give us that opportunity,” Shahbaz remarked.

Published in Dawn, May 4th, 2017