ISLAMABAD: The International Hockey Federation (FIH) Hockey Pro League will make a welcome return on Sept 22 and 23 with the men’s and women’s teams of Germany and Belgium take to the pitch in the first of a series of European focused matches, the FIH said on Monday.

It has been a long seven months without international hockey competition and players and coaching staff are relieved to be getting back to the action, albeit under very different circumstances to pre-Covid-19 times.

Among the measures being taken to ensure the safety of everyone involved in the matches, the games will be played behind closed doors and in adherence to the safety guidelines of the competing governing bodies. Hygiene and personal safety equipment will be used in accordance to national association guidelines.

Despite a very different atmosphere around the stadium, with no spectators and strict hygiene protocols, everyone involved is buzzing with anticipation.

Published in Dawn, August 25th, 2020