LAHORE / ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has requested Army to provide it security for inviting the World XI to Pakistan and for holding the league hockey on the pattern of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

The Leisure Leagues Pakistan had recently hosted two successful exhibition football matches in Karachi and Lahore with some international football icons when the Army provided them security.

PHF president retired Brig Sajjad Khokhar met Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa at Army headquarters on Monday.

A press release issued by the PHF said, “When told about the proposed hockey league in Lahore, featuring international stars, in October/November, General Bajwa appreciated the idea. He also assured of army’s support in providing security to foreign players and teams visiting Pakistan,” the press release said.

“In September, the PHF is trying to bring a World XI, comprising past and present international stars from leading hockey nations such as Australia, Germany and the Netherlands, to play an exhibition match against a Pakistan team consisting of stalwarts including the incumbent secretary general of the PHF, Shahbaz Ahmed. The match will probably be played at the Army Stadium, Rawalpindi or Karachi.

“Army’s support will go a long way towards staging the hockey league and the match against the International XI. All this would rekindle people’s and especially the youth’s interest in hockey which is very essential for the revival of our national game.

“Overall security situation in the country has already improved thanks to army and other security agencies’ sacrifices. Hence, we expect big crowds when the hockey league and other international events will be staged in Pakistan,” the press release stated.

Meanwhile, it seems the PCB will also ask Army for help in hosting the ICC World XI, which is likely to visit Lahore in September for a cricket match against Pakistan, most probably at the Gaddafi Stadium.

Informed sources told Dawn that while the ICC is ready to send the World XI to Pakistan, the Punjab government has yet not given the green signal to the PCB for the said match.

“We are still waiting for Punjab government’s response,” a PCB official told Dawn on the condition of anonymity.

“We have to give final shape to all arrangements, but frankly speaking, we can’t take the first step without getting permission from the Punjab government,” the official said.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2017