Pakistan and India are former Olympic hockey champions. —File photo by AFP

DOHA: In order to promote hockey in the region, representatives of West Asian countries are planning to organize a high profile bilateral hockey series between Pakistan and India.

A meeting of West Asian countries representatives chaired by Tayyab Ikram, Coaching Director & Chief Development Officer of International Hockey Federation FIH, reviewed plans to upgrade the status of hockey in the region.

Ikram said they were required to host high profile tournaments under the badge of the Asian Hockey Federation AHF & FIH. The bilateral series between Pakistan and India is one of the main events on the agenda of the hockey federations of West Asian countries.

“In order to enhance the image of the game, we need to hold high profile FIH-AHF tournaments in the region. Holding high profile competitions including India vs Pakistan series is one of things on agenda for West Asia hockey associations.”

He felt there will be no issue for Pakistan and India for contesting in a series in Qatar or in Sports City of Dubai. Pakistan has confirmed their availability to play a series at a neutral venue, thus, venue in Qatar or Dubai will be no issue for the two teams, he added. An action plan was decided in this regard after the meeting.

Besides FIH and AHF representatives, delegates from Bahrain, UAE and the host state of Qatar attended the meeting.