DAWN.COM

Today's Paper | November 28, 2024

Published 18 Feb, 2010 12:00am

Hockey World Cup in India: PHF delegation to assess security arrangements

LAHORE, Feb 17 A two-member delegation comprising Olympian Rana Mujahid and a Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) official Pervez Bhindara will travel to New Delhi, India, to assess the security arrangements made for the forthcoming World Cup to be held there from Feb 28.

PHF Secretary Asif Bajwa told reporters on Wednesday that the delegation would be travelling via the Wagah Border on Thursday.

It will meet with the Indian interior ministry officials on Friday and is expected to return here on Saturday.

“The main focus of the delegation will be on the security of the route, accommodation and the venue,” Bajwa said while dispelling the impression that the security delegation was going there rather late since there were only 10 days left before the mega event.

“In fact, it is good that the delegation is visiting at this time because all the arrangements must have been finalised by now,” he said.

He said hopefully there would be no security problems in India. He also said that some officials of the Pakistan High Commission in India would also join the two-member delegation during the security officials' briefing.

He said there was a lot of concern about the security aspects in India, and to assess it, the PHF had made a request to the foreign and interior ministries.

“We are thankful to both the ministries for helping in arranging the visit,” he said.

APP adds Meanwhile, the national hockey team is scheduled to leave for India on Feb 22 to participate in the World Cup. Pakistan players held a three-week training session at National Hockey Stadium Lahore that concluded on Tuesday.

Before playing the World Cup opener against arch-rivals India, the national team will play warm-up matches against New Zealand on Feb 24, Canada on Feb 25 and Germany on the Feb 26.

National hockey coach Shahid Ali Khan said that Pakistan team is in good shape and is confident of putting up a good show in the game's most coveted event.

Read Comments

Govt mocks ‘fleeing’ Gandapur, Bushra, claims D-Chowk cleared; PTI derides ‘fake news’ Next Story