ISLAMABAD, Nov 11: Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Secretary Asif Bajwa, has hinted that a neutral venue could be used for Pakistan hockey if foreign teams continue to have reservations for playing in the country due to security concerns.

Talking to Dawn on Tuesday former Olympian Bajwa said: “The hockey federation’s topmost priority is to hold international events in the country but if the teams have security concerns we can opt for neutral venues”.

Indian junior hockey team which was scheduled to play a five-match Test series from Nov 12 at five different venues in the country shocked hockey fans and the PHF when it cancelled its tour at the eleventh hour. Asked about the likely neutral venues, Bajwa said: “We have Malaysia, China, Abu Dhabi and Dubai on the cards to play hockey with the international teams”. He added: “We will also raise this issue at the upcoming International Hockey Federation (FIH) congress meeting and request them to consider implementing strict policy of putting some financial penalty on federations refusing to fulfill any international commitment with another federation”.

Bajwa asserted: “Despite the cancellation of the current series we are still hopeful to convince foreign teams to visit Pakistan”.

He added that the PHF was confident to end the drought of hosting international level hockey events in the country.