India, Pakistan wait for Dehli go-ahead
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| Planet Field Hockey |
December 22, 2000
The Khaleej Times
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By Moni Mathews
A HOCKEY tour to the UAE and Qatar by the nationals sides of India and Pakistan sometime in March-April next year is definitely on, at least in the minds of senior officials looking after the sport in the sub-continent.
On Wednesday, Reuters had filed a report from New Delhi about proposals being forwarded by the top brass of the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) and the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) following discussions held during the international ruling body's congress in Paris and later at the Syndey Olympics this year.
The reluctance by New Delhi to have sporting fixtures against Pakistan in Pakistan or in India have kept cricketing ties between the two countries at a hold but the overall softening of attitude when it comes to playing at a neutral venue like Sharjah or elsewhere where other countries too are involved in an event, has given the hockey authorities in India some avenue to pursue.
In Pakistan, the PHF is eagerly awaiting a positive attitude from New Delhi regarding the revival of the arch rivalry between the two nations where hockey is usually seen at its artistic best.
"We had lengthy talks on Pakistan and India meeting to revive some of the traditional rivalry to improve the level of the game in our countries. We are all for it and we are keen on doing whatever it takes on our part to have a series between the two countries," Brigadier Musarrat Ullah Khan, secretary of PHF said while speaking to us over the phone from Lahore yesterday.
"It is entirely in the hands of the Indian government officials to help us in our efforts to promote the game and we are sure IHF will do its best in trying to convince the ministry for a go-ahead," Brig. Musarrat said.
"I think the neutral venue idea is the best thing to do when we cannot play in our own countries against each other. We pray that the series in the Gulf with India and another country, will take place next year as this will also help Pakistan in its buildup for the 2002 world cup in Kuala Lumpur," he said, "Thankfully, our fourth place in Sydney guarantees us of an automatic qualification and we have a couple of trips planned which includes the Gulf series."
For India who have to play in the tough Edinburgh world cup qualifiers next year, there is a lot of ground work to do especially with a change in their coaching lineup where Air India's Cedric D'Souza has been re-appointed as chief coach. Pakistan have former greats Islahuddin and Samiaullah looking after the international and domestic scenes, according to a Pakistan television report.
IHF chief, K.P.S. Gill, initially when contacted over the phone yesterday said, "There is nothing to say at the moment. It is too premature to say anything as government clearance is the most important factor."
Later, when Gill was contacted again in the evening, the responsibility of speaking to the media was passed on to the officer on special duty (OSD) and chief protocol officer at the IHF, Suresh Kumar Sharma who confirmed that the tour was being given top priority.
"Our meetings with PHF officials in Paris and Sydney have put the whole proposal on firm ground but now we have to go through the procedures at the ministry," Sharma said, "The event will most likely be a three-nation championship and negotiations are on with three to four sports management companies which includes one Calcutta based firm which has a counterpart in Dubai.
"As things stand I cannot disclose the names of the companies and we are not dealing directly with anyone at the playing venues in the Gulf," Sharma added.
The three-nation idea must have been accommodated to fall in line with the third party stipulation as laid down in the Indian government's recent policy statements.
But what must be remembered here is that most top hockey playing nations have their calendars all set and finalised for the next two to three years, as is usually the case in professional setups.
Getting a top nation as the third side for the Gulf series would perhaps be another hurdle facing the organisers. Further, most leading European, Asian, Australasian and American sides (Canada and Argentina) would be reluctant to play on any surface other than a proper synthetic pitch which is unavailable here at the moment, let alone Qatar where the game is still in its infant stages even amongst the expats.
Makeshift sides or second elevens will rob the Gulf event, if it does take place, some of its authenticity. Sides that may come on short notice would perhaps be centred around Egypt, South Africa and Kenya who are always willing learners and have near world class sides. Strong Malaysia is being talked about as a strong possibility.
In the name of hockey, the potential 'prospectors' both local and foreign, hopefully will not carry out a fly-by night operation like the previous editions of the 'Indo-Pak' series in the UAE many years back. However, both IHF and PHF could stand to gain if they are guaranteed appearance money by the promoters.
The Khaleej Times
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