ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has contacted the International Hockey Federation (FIH) for holding a six-nation hockey tournament later this year in Pakistan, PHF secretary Rana Mujahid said.

Addressing a press conference at the Pakistan Sports Complex here on Tuesday before going to Karachi, Mujahid said they had requested the FIH to send six international teams to Pakistan to participate in a hockey tournament likely to be held later this year.

When asked which teams will participate, Mujahid said, “We have left this to the FIH. They will send the teams of their choice.”

He added that the Indian Hockey Federations had assured us that they would play a bilateral series against us.

“All details have been finalised between both the federations. Now both of us need clearance from our respective governments,” he said and added that the PHF would request the government for resumption of bilateral series with India.

“I am quite confident the proposed series will take place as I have requested my Indian counterpart to come to Pakistan for the series,” he said.

He said there will be three-match series if the Indian government agrees to send their team to Pakistan.

Later, Pakistan will visit India to play six-match series.

To a query, he said the PHF has also decided to organise Pakistan Hockey League every year.

APP adds: Mujahid said Shahnaz Sheikh’s term as coach will depend on national team’s performance at the Asian Games and the decision in that regard would rest with the Executive Board.

Speaking of team’s chances at the Asian Games, he said they had given a free hand to the coach to implement his plan before the mega event.

“I am hopeful that the defending champions will do well at the Games,” he said.

Mujahid said the PHF wanted to move forward and that was why they had taken several Olympians on board.

“We have appointed Islahuddin Siddiqui as chief selector and given the charge of director coaching to Tahir Zaman to take their help in revival of the game,” he said.

Talking about the criticism by former PHF secretary Asif Bajwa on the Olympians, Mujahid said Asif would have been served a show-cause notice had he been part of the PHF.