Pakistan, India set for resumption of hockey ties

Karachi: After the resumption of bilateral ties in cricket, the Pakistan and Indian hockey federations are also moving in the same direction.

The PHF announced on Wednesday that bilateral hockey ties would be restored between the two countries in 2013. Although no dates were given when the bilateral series would resume but the PHF announced that Narender Batra, the secretary general of Hockey India, would be visiting Lahore from December 29th. "Mr Batra accompanying his wife will reach Lahore on 29th December to sign an agreement with the PHF for resumption of bilateral series and later he will also hold a press conference," a PHF official said. Sources within the PHF said in the first phase, likely to be held in February-March, six tests would be played three each in both countries to signal the resumption of bilateral ties. The PHF has been trying hard to restore bilateral ties with India and had even proposed a series at neutral venues like Dubai and Abu Dhabi. "But now the move is towards having the matches in India and Pakistan," a source said. PTI