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The Pakistan hockey team will be traveling to England a few weeks before the start of the 2012 Olympics games in London to “fine tune” their preparations.
The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) announced that it will move base to the Cannock Hockey Club, based at Chase Park, in the last phase of its training to iron out their weaknesses.
The team played a three-match series with England on Cannock's pitches, near the town of Hatherton, in 2009. The club boasts of one of the top facilities in England.
Pakistan has been drawn in the same group as Team Great Britain, Australia, Spain, Argentina and a qualifier for the preliminary round of the Olympic hockey tournament.
Councillor Pat Corfield, cabinet member for culture, communities and customers at Staffordshire County Council, said: "We're very proud to attract a top ten nation to use the excellent sporting facilities here in Staffordshire.
“We extended a warm welcome to the Pakistani team during a previous visit in 2009, and the combination of our hospitality and top-drawer facilities has encouraged them to return.”
The President of Cannock Hockey Cub, Laurie Alcock, paying triubute to the club said: “Cannock Hockey Club has worked tirelessly to develop the facility which is recognised as a world class hockey venue.
“The return in an Olympic year is a fitting tribute to the work of the volunteers at the club.”
