China to play hockey series in Pakistan

KARACHI: Pakistan will welcome the Chinese hockey team for a four-match series this month, keen to encourage international sport back to the terror-hit country, an official said Monday.

Foreign teams have avoided Pakistan since gunmen attacked the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore in March 2009, killing eight people and wounding seven visiting players and their assistant coach.

For years before that, Western teams were reluctant to tour Pakistan, worried about security after the 9/11 attacks and the 2001 US-led invasion of neighbouring Afghanistan.

Pakistan, where attacks blamed on Islamist militants have killed more than 4,700 people since 2007, last hosted top hockey in the 2004 Champions Trophy.

The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) said the Chinese tour was significant.

"It will help in resuming international hockey ties on Pakistani soil and we eagerly look forward to it," said secretary Asif Bajwa.

The PHF said it had requested water-tight security.

China will play their opening match in Karachi on December 21, with further matches in Karachi on December 22, Faisalabad on December 24 and Lahore on December 25.

"Our major focus is to bring international hockey back to Pakistan and we are thankful to the Chinese Hockey Federation for supporting our cause, and this will be on a reciprocal basis as we will tour them next year," said Bajwa.

Field hockey is Pakistan's national sport.

It has three Olympic titles and four world titles, but apart from the Asian title in 2010, Pakistan has fared badly in recent years.

They finished eighth, their worst-ever, in the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and 12th and last in the World Cup held in India last year.

Pakistan also finished a poor seventh in the eight-team Champions Trophy, which finished in New Zealand on Sunday. (AFP)