ISLAMABAD, Oct 19 (APP):China’s Guangdong men’s hockey team arrived in Pakistan on Monday for a 13-day tour that includes matches against leading departmental sides and a Pakistan under-18 team, offering domestic players valuable exposure to international competition.
Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) officials welcomed the visiting delegation upon arrival, presenting team members with traditional flower garlands and bouquets.
The tour features meatures matches against MPCL, Pakistan Army, Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Customs, Pakistan Rangers and Pakistan Police, as well as a fixture against a Pakistan under-18 side in Gojra.
Guangdong will begin its competitive engagements against MPCL at MPCL Hockey Stadium in Rawalpindi on Tuesday, followed by a match against Pakistan Army on Wednesday at GHQ Stadium, Rawalpindi.
After a rest day, the Chinese side will face Pakistan Navy at Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium in Islamabad on October 23.
The team will then travel to Lahore to play Pakistan Customs at DHA Hockey Stadium on October 25, before taking on Pakistan Rangers at the Sports Complex in Narowal on October 26.
Following another rest day on October 27, Guangdong will meet the Pakistan under-18 side at National Hockey Stadium in Gojra on October 28. The visitors will play their final match against Pakistan Police at DHA Hockey Stadium, Lahore, on October 29, before departing Pakistan on October 30.
The tour will give Pakistan’s leading departmental sides an opportunity to assess their match readiness against international opposition, while allowing coaches to evaluate tactical discipline, defensive organisation and attacking efficiency.
The fixture against the under-18 side in Gojra will expose emerging players to a different style of hockey and help identify promising talent and areas for improvement ahead of future competitions.
The matches will help strengthen hockey ties between Pakistan and China and support efforts to revive the national game through regular international competitions.
Source: APP (Associated Press of Pakistan)
