The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has announced that the Canadian hockey team has agreed in principle to tour Pakistan, opening the way for a possible bilateral series between the two countries.
According to the PHF, Hockey Canada, along with the national team and officials, has agreed to visit Pakistan. The tour is expected to take place in January or February next year, although the final schedule has yet to be confirmed.
The federation said the exact dates of the visit, number of matches and other arrangements will be finalised through consultations between the two sides. The final programme is expected to depend on the availability of both teams and other logistical arrangements.
The Canadian hockey federation has also expressed interest in visiting Pakistan and experiencing the country’s strong hockey traditions. The proposed tour could provide Pakistan with an opportunity to host a major international team on home soil.
The PHF said discussions are also underway with three other countries regarding potential tours of Pakistan. Teams from these countries could visit Pakistan toward the end of this year or during the first two months of next year.
The federation is working to restore a regular international hockey calendar in Pakistan after a prolonged period in which the country has hosted relatively limited international fixtures. Regular home series could give the national team more opportunities to compete against strong opponents.
