LAHORE, Dec 10: Indian Football Federation (IFF) has tentatively delayed the tour of the Indian team to Pakistan from February to June next year. In another related development, though Pakistan Football Federation's (PFF) bid to host the South Asian Football (SAF) Gold Cup in March-April 2005 has succeeded, it will not be held in March as per schedule but in December 2005.

The decisions were conveyed to PFF senior vice president Syed Agha Liaqat Ali by the Indian football officials in Singapore where officials of both the countries met on the eve of Asian Football Confederation and South Asian Football Federation meetings held on Dec 7 and 8.

The venues and dates are yet to be decided for the three-match series in Pakistan by the officials in Singapore. When contacted PFF secretary Arshad Khan Lodhi, remarked that both the decisions were disappointing for Pakistan.

He pointed out that the Indian series in February followed immediately by the SAF Gold Cup in March, would have helped a lot in promoting football in the country. "We have been waiting anxiously for the series against India, considering it a milestone in Pakistan football history," he said.

He agreed that the weather in June would be hot but said the football matches could be held. He disclosed that the Indians had cited lack of preparation as reason for the postponement.

About the delay in SAF Gold Cup, the secretary said that though the schedule had been changed, yet it was a great achievement of PFF to have won the bid. "Many member countries were contesting for the event and Pakistan succeeded and to me it is a great achievement of the federation," the secretary added.