Chinese hockey team gets warm reception on arrival

KARACHI: A 28-member hockey squad of China was accorded a red carpet welcome at the Quaid-e-Azam International Airport on Monday when they landed here to play the four-match test series against Pakistan.

Chinese are first international hockey team to land here in seven years after the Junior Asia Cup held at Hockey Club of Pakistan Stadium in 2006.

Officials of Sindh and Karachi Hockey Association greeted the Chinese team on arrival from Beijing on an Air China flight. Team members and officials of the team were profusely garlanded.

A large numbers of activists of Pak-China Friendship Foundation were also present at the airport to greet and receive the team.

Director HCP Olympian Iftikhar Syed, former Pakistan captain Ahmed Alam and Olympian Danish Kaleem, Secretary KHA Farooq Khan were also present at the airport to receive the team on behalf of Pakistan Hockey Federation.

Chinese hockey team will be having their first training session at Hockey Club of Pakistan on Tuesday afternoon in build up to the opening two test matches of the series to be be played at same venue on Wednesday and Thursday. The remaining two test matches will be played in Faisalabad and Lahore.

Lu Fenghai is leading the team which included 20 players and eight team officials.

Talking to reporters on arrival, the head of the delegation Li Gaochao said they were overwhelmed by the reception given to the team on arrival. He said Pakistan and China enjoy great relationship in hockey.

He said Pakistan is a strong team and they are looking forward to the series and learn from the trip. (APP)