Abdul Jabbar Faisal
ISLAMABAD:-The Indian High Commission has issued the visas to Pakistan junior team and officials to participate in the World Junior Hockey Cup 2021 to be held in Bhubaneswar, India from November 24 to December 5, 2021 under the auspices of International Hockey Federation (FIH).
According to an official of Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), the National Junior Hockey Squad is scheduled to leave for India on November 20 to participate in the World Junior Hockey Cup. Government of Pakistan has already issued No Objection Certificates (NOC) and PHF has received more than half of the national team visas through courier service.
Secretary General PHF Olympian Asif Bajwa said: As many as 16 teams are participating in the event out of which four teams are in Pakistan's pool which includes Germany, Argentina, Pakistan and Egypt. Two teams from the each pool will qualify and if Pakistan beat Germany then Pakistan would be the favorite to qualify for the quarterfinals.
Olympian Asif Bajwa said, “Our players are talented and due to the situation of the covid, National junior hockey team did not have the experience of matches at the international level but they have the ability to surprise any team in the event. Pakistan Junior Hockey Team will reach India and play two practice matches. The first match will be played against Chile on November 21 and the second against Canada on November 22. These will be practice matches off camera and practice session coverage will not be allowed. The Pakistan junior hockey team will play its first match against Germany on November 24 and Pakistan will face Egypt on November 27. The national junior hockey squad will play its last match of the pool round against Argentina on November 28, “Secretary PHF Asif Bajwa said.
