Asia: India, Pakistan hockey series in the offing 
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| Gulf News |
September 9, 2003
Gulf News
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The rejuvenated UAE Hockey Committee (UAEHC) is making another attempt to re-lay the astro-turf at the Central Military Command (CMC) hockey ground.
Lack of financial and sponsorship support for the game had transformed the turf at the CMC into an unplayable one.
A meeting between the UAE and Indian hockey officials recently resulted in renewed enthusiasm to get the turf ready.
Mohammed Manji, the technical advisor of the UAE HC had talks with Jyoti Kumaran, secretary of the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) in India on a possible India-Pakistan series in Dubai.
The IHF has agreed to play in Dubai provided facilities are in place. Encouraged by the assurance, UAE HC has got into the act and is hoping to stage a three-nation event, possibly by the end of the year.
Meanwhile, Abdul Rahim, another UAEHC member, met with the Pakistan Hockey Federation officials to gain their permission.
As a first step, the UAE HC has flown in Steib Wulf, an engineer from Swiss Finance and Construction Company to explore possibilities of re-laying the turf.
Wulf, who has been involved in the making of three turf hockey grounds in Germany, feels that they will have to work for three months on the turf to get it ready.
He believes that the under layer has not been damaged and needs only relaying of the carpet.
Wulf also said that in case the UAE HC has their own ground in future, this turf can be shifted from the CMC stadium to the new ground.
There are chances that the Municipality might demolish the present astro turf ground by the middle of next year as part of their expansion plans.
Gerard Rach, a former German coach who is now the head coach of the UAE team, is also exploring possibilities to get the German team to play as the third side.
The UAE HC's dream of hosting a three-nation tournament will, to a great extent, depend on sponsorship support.
With the UAE HC having proved to be active by managing to organise two tours abroad for its national teams recently, there seems to be a glimmer of hope this time.
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